Category Archives: Church

Think about Your Baptism

Noted theologian Karl Barth wrote, “For the relevance of holy baptism is this: that we may our whole life long think about the fact that we are baptized…Once in my life a sign has been established that I hold on … Continue reading

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Face to Face

This time last year, churches suspended in-person worship services for a period of time as the nation tried to stop the spread of COVID-19. Many congregations offered on-line services to give their members an opportunity to worship. This was the … Continue reading

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Love Does Not Envy

Many preachers have to fight against the sin of envy. It is easy to fall into the trap of comparing your ministry with those of your fellow ministers. For example, when preachers meet, it doesn’t take long for the question … Continue reading

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Affecting the Others

COVID-19 has shut down another sports team. The Duke men’s basketball team has pulled out of the ACC tournament, ending their season. One of their walk-on players tested positive for the virus. Just losing one player who had a very … Continue reading

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Heavy Lifting

Railroad workers recently left some railroad ties along the track behind our house in preparation for some upcoming repairs. Being a man, of course I wondered if I could lift one of them. I could not. I couldn’t even pick … Continue reading

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Mister No More

After having manufactured Mr. Potato Head for 70 years, Hasbro has decided to make a change. They are going to a gender-neutral name. He (it?) will now be known simply as Potato Head. Apparently, having a Mrs. Potato Head to … Continue reading

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Shining Through

A little girl regularly sat in church next to stained glass windows with pictures of St. Matthew, St. Peter, and St. John. She was always fascinated by the way the light shone through in such a brilliant manner. One day … Continue reading

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Cheap Grace

“Cheap grace is preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”—Dietrich Bonhoeffer. These words are just as true today as they were when they were uttered several … Continue reading

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What They Presume

When I entered the ministry nearly 30 years ago, I knew that there would be some tough times. I understood that Christians sometimes (often?) squabble with each other. I thought that most of these battles would be over matters of … Continue reading

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Your Kingdom Come

To say that we live in turbulent times is a vast understatement. The year 2020 brought so much upheaval and suffering that most people were glad to see it fade into the pages of history. However, the calendar may have … Continue reading

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