Category Archives: Spiritual life

A Favorite (Frequently Misunderstood) Bible Verse

Posted on October 7, 2023 by salooper57

It has been said that the most quoted verse in the Bible is no longer John 3:16 but instead Matthew 7:1: “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” That is not surprising. Personal freedom is the touchstone of the era. Everyone … Continue reading →

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A Life That Means Something

Posted on October 1, 2023 by salooper57

This sermon was preached on May 10, 2020, at Lockwood Community Church.

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Patience Does Not Come Ready-Made

Posted on September 30, 2023 by salooper57

A while back, our washing machine started leaking just a little, so after wash day, we would pull the machine out and use a rag to dry under it. As time passed, the leak got a little worse, and then … Continue reading →

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God Speaks Your Language

Posted on September 23, 2023 by salooper57

He speaks to the poet in meter, to the architect in blueprints, to the child in games and laughter, to the wise in wisdom, to the fool in folly. He speaks to Isaac Newton in mathematical formulae, to Francis Collins in ribonucleic acids and to fisherman in fish. Continue reading →

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Finally, Brothers and Sisters (2 Corinthians 13:11)

Posted on September 10, 2023 by salooper57

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. I want to remind you of something we learned a couple of weeks ago. … Continue reading →

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Targeting Errors and How to Avoid Them

Posted on August 26, 2023 by salooper57

I frequently have heard people say, “I believe in my faith.” I cringe and respond, “Don’t do that! Believe in God, not in faith.” Continue reading →

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Church Member’s Checklist (1 Thessalonians 5:12-15)

Posted on August 20, 2023 by salooper57

Repair admonishment do not happen as often as they should, or as often as God intends, in the contemporary church. We are not close enough, do not love each other enough, do not trust each other enough to admonish. If someone does admonish, the usual result is anger, division, and departure. So, we cannot start with admonishment. We must start with love, intimacy, and trust, and that takes time to develop. Continue reading →

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The Power of Selective Hearing: Timeless Advice from Jesus

Posted on July 29, 2023 by salooper57

People who listen to gossip will hear more and more of it. Those who refuse to listen will hear less and less. It is almost as if a search engine algorithm is at work. “Whoever has will be given more…” Continue reading →

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Teen Mental Health: A National Emergency that Requires Local Action

Posted on July 22, 2023 by salooper57

… this national emergency will require local action. Individuals and individual families must change their praxis. Continue reading →

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The Good News Church (1 Thessalonians 3:6-13)

Posted on July 16, 2023 by salooper57

This leads to a question that each of us must answer for ourselves: Does my faith have holes in it? I think the answer is almost certainly, “Yes, it does.” But then we must discover where those holes are and what is causing them. Continue reading →

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