Lord, we thank you that we can come to you just as we are. But remind us that we dare not leave just as we came.
04184 – Just As We Are
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04182 – Patriotism vs. Christian Nationalism
As an American patriot, I celebrate the Fourth of July with pride and gratitude. However, I distinguish this patriotism from Christian nationalism. My faith teaches me that Jesus transcends political affiliations and national boundaries. He is not the exclusive...
04150 – Volunteers vs. Members
Language matters. That’s why if I hear that word “volunteer” one more time in a church setting, I’m going to officially nominate the word for the “Annoying Word of the Year” award. The church is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing Christ to life, not through...
03786 – “Lord, the Air Smells Good Today”
Lord, the air smells good today, straight from the mysteries within the inner courts of God. A grace like new clothes thrown across the garden, free medicine for everybody. The trees in their prayer, the birds in praise, the first blue violets kneeling. Whatever came...
03584 – Worldly Honors
All worldly honors are nothing but the smoke and fire of burning straw. All that remains is the little good that we have done, if we have managed to make the most of the grace which our good Lord has given us at every instant of our lives.
03528 – A Judas Kiss
To say, "Lord, Lord" and then disobey is the moral equivalent of a Judas kiss.
03283 –
Let Your mighty outstretched arm, O Lord, be my defense; Your mercy and loving-kindness in Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, our salvation; Your true word my instruction; the grace of Your life-giving Spirit my comfort and consolation, to the end and in the end; through...
03267 – Scripture, Not Feeling
A genuine experience of the Lord is based on Scripture, not our feelings, but that does not mean that our feelings are unaffected. We are so afraid of feeling these days that it has become almost the unpardonable sin to say 'Amen' [in church]. We are not saved because...
03234 – Keeping the Faith
If we resolve to be considerate and to help our neighbours; to make friends with people of different races and religions; and, as our Lord said, to look to our own faults before we criticize others, we will be keeping faith with those who landed in Normandy and fought...
03228 – Our Leaning Side
A pastor of a small church would occasionally call on one gentleman to pray, and every time this one particular guy would pray, he would end with the strangest statement, “And, oh Lord, prop us up on our leaning side.” Finally, the pastor pulled him aside, and he...