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Category Archives: Old Testament
Is Ash Wednesday Biblical?
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:1 I just received a bag of ashes in the … Continue reading
Posted in christianity, fasting, Old Testament
Tagged Ash Wednesday, ashes, christianity, church, community, Gospel, judgment, mortality, Old Testament, prayer, reconciliation, religion, theology
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God’s Dysfunctional Families
“While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.” Genesis 4:8 It’s pretty easy to find biblical principles applying to marriage and family life. Ephesians 5-6 highlight sacrificial love, mutual submission, trust, respect and nurture as … Continue reading
Posted in christianity, Jephthah, Old Testament, religion
Tagged biblical teachings on family, cain and abel, christianity, church, community, dysfunctional families, family, love, marriage, Old Testament, religion
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What Happens When God’s Messengers Challenge Authority?
“Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.” Exodus 1:8 The story of Moses begins where the story of Joseph ends: in Egypt. There are some interesting parallels between the two: Both were unlikely … Continue reading
Posted in christianity, Old Testament
Tagged christianity, church, Egypt, Joseph, Moses, Old Testament, Pharoah, prophet
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A Theology of Bowling
As silly as it sounds, bowling can illustrate biblical truths. Here are a few theological reflections on a recent outing with the Susquehanna Charge youth: Do not rely on previous victories. I easily broke triple digits the last time I … Continue reading
Posted in Bowling, christianity, Elijah, Elijah, Jephthah, Old Testament, Proverbs, Uncategorized
Tagged Ai, bowling, Cana, Elijah, fellowship, Jephthah, Joshua, Mount Carmel, parties, Proverbs, Revelations, theology of youth ministry, virgin
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Do I Really Need Coffee?
Our desires and habits are not set in stone. Like many, I think a morning coffee is enjoyable, but I won’t go so far to say that I need it to function in the morning. Thirty days without it and … Continue reading
Posted in christianity, Ezra, fasting, Old Testament, Persian Empire, Uncategorized
Tagged coffee, Ezra, fasting, food addiction, humility, overconsumption, spiritual disciplines
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Should Christians Protest?
It’s hard to find a biblical model of public protesting. Unlike modern Western democracies, public protesting against Babylonian, Persian or Roman policies was pointless and likely resulted in swift punishment…such as a trip to the lion’s den. As I preach … Continue reading
Posted in christianity, Old Testament, Persian Empire
Tagged Christians, Daniel, lions den, prayer, protesting, public demonstrations, public prayer, spiritual disciplines
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Searching Far and Wide for Virgins
As I prepare a sermon on Esther, I am reminded of the Persian Empire’s ill-treatment of women and Jews. Queen Vashti is deposed because she refuses to be king Xerxes’ entertainment. Esther, a Jewish woman, is forced to become a member … Continue reading
Posted in christianity, Esther, interventionism, Old Testament, Persian Empire, Xerxes
Tagged exile, Interventionism, Old Testament, Persian Empire, Queen Esther, Xerxes
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