The Archives
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07.29.08Walmart and witnessI was just in Walmart a little while ago with the fam, and as we walked by the entrance I saw something that just made my day. On the bench next to the front door sat two men talking to one another very intently. Between them both, held in mutual hands, was cradled the Word of God. One young man was pointing while speaking. The other man, raw desire in his eyes, listened closely as his companion poured out his, and God's heart to him. What an awesome experience to not only see, but to actually participate in by praying for them ...
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07.01.08Blogger Small Group: Romans 3:21-31This is a Blogger Small Group entry in partnership with Run'n Like a Vagabond. Romans 3:21-31 = This is going to sound really simplistic, but my take on these verses this week came as a subtle but pointed reminder. There's a whole lot of theology going on in this set of verses, but here's what's resonating with me. We're all sinners, all of us. No one is exempt from that label: Sinner. Being a sinner should humble us. The more imperfect we realize we are, especially in relation to perfect, holy God, we should be humbled all the more. Here's the deal, those of ...
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06.24.08Blogger Small Group: Romans 3:9-20This is a Blogger Small Group entry in partnership with Run'n Like a Vagabond. Romans 3:9-10 = I love how Paul essentially points out in the first eight verses of the chapter that the Jews really did drop the ball. They were chosen as God's people and entrusted with the truth so that they could show it to the world. They failed. Paul does this so that he can point out in verses 9 and 10 that the advantages of being a Jew are null and void. All mankind, regardless of race or creedal past, is under the curse of sin. Therefore, ...
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06.10.08Blogger Small Group: Romans 2This is a Blogger Small Group entry in partnership with Run'n Like a Vagabond. Romans 2:1-5 = Don't forget where we just came from. The chapters and verses are nice and everything, but Scripture wasn't originally written that way. So, remember what Paul was talking about just before these verses—people who have completely turned from God and worship either self or some other thing, and are involved in all kinds of vile behavior. Now look at what Paul says to us. Paul very astutely reminds us that it is God we are dealing with here, and not just one another. We are ...
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06.03.08Blogger Small Group: Romans 1This is a Blogger Small Group entry in partnership with Run'n Like a Vagabond. Let me start by saying that Romans may be my favorite book of Scripture. I've been known to say before that, in the event I was ever stranded on a desert island, and could have only one book of the Bible, it would be Romans. Romans might just be the most "complete" book of Scripture, covering not only the Gospel well, but also topics such as spiritual growth, morality, social justice, history, prophecy, and a myriad other Scriptural themes. Where most other books of the Bible cover a ...
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05.27.08Blogger Small Group: James 5This is a Blogger Small Group entry in partnership with Run'n Like a Vagabond. James 5:1-6 = I keep thinking of the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. I think we all understand, and should be careful to point out, that neither James nor Jesus proclaimed being rich is a sin, it is just another impediment to giving oneself to the Gospel. There are two really pointed things I see here. First, in verse 3, James talks about the passing, temporary nature of riches. Yet we will often hoard it like we are running out of time. Ironically, the less time ...
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05.20.08Blogger Small Group: James 4This is a Blogger Small Group entry in partnership with Run'n Like a Vagabond. James 4:1-2 = Church conflicts usually boil down to this: "I want it my way." Man, so many arguments would be avoided if we would all just get over ourselves. James 4:3 = I think this is one of the key verses when it comes to prayer. This is what knocks all the "name it, claim it" prosperity preachers on their butts. When we approach God in prayer, what is our motive? I'm not saying (and I don't think Scripture is saying it either) that we should never ...
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05.13.08Blogger Small Group: James 3This is a Blogger Small Group entry in partnership with Run'n Like a Vagabond. James 3:1-2 = I'm thinking a couple of things here. I keep hearing line after line from the book of Proverbs in my head. Stuff that basically talks about the wise as people who hold their tongue, keep silent in most situations, listen more than they speak, and speak only when necessary. Contrast that with the fool of Proverbs who is usually someone who can't keep their fool mouth shut. I'm also thinking about what we sometimes do in church culture, making the mistake of cojoling someone until ...
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05.06.08Blogger Small Group: James 2This is a Blogger Small Group entry in partnership with Run'n Like a Vagabond. So, I was completely anti-social last week. Too bad that my felt need to temporarily pull away from blogging coincided with the launch of the small group. Needless to say, I was a bad boy and didn't comment on anyone else's blog in the group (but for one that really impacted me). I did, however, read them all. Thanks to those who came around last week and commented. I'll try to be more active this time around, though I may not get around to doing full comments on ...
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04.29.08Blogger Small Group: James 1Here's my first entry for a new effort we're calling the Blogger Small Group. The general idea is that a group of blogger have decided to form our own online small group and study the Scripture together. Once a week, Kyle over at Running Like a Vagabond releases a Bible passage on Wednesday, and throughout the next seven days we study, meditate, and reflect on what we are getting out of the Scripture. Then, on Tuesday, we post our thoughts to our own blog, and then link up to Kyle's post at his place, thereby forming a small group. We hope ...
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