The Blazing Center

Steve Is In Glory

9 October 2009

326010 CommentsSteve+Is+In+Glory2009-10-09+14%3A26%3A01Stephen+Altrogge

Yesterday afternoon at approximately 1 P.M., my friend and fellow church member Steve Murphy was shepherded by God into eternity after a battle with a brain tumor. He finished his race. Or better yet, God led Steve by the hand along each step of the race, and yesterday took Steve across the finish line. Steve heard [...]

When God Applies Bandages

26 February 2009

2548 CommentsWhen+God+Applies+Bandages2009-02-26+12%3A00%3A00Stephen+Altrogge

In Psalm 147:3-4 we read, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.” I have to admit, when I read these verses I was astonished. This was a picture of God I hadn’t encountered before. The stark contrast between the [...]

A Father’s Yearning Heart

21 January 2009

17345 CommentsA+Father%27s+Yearning+Heart2009-01-21+10%3A00%3A10Mark+Altrogge

His eyes squinted against the hot sun as he scanned the horizon. For the hundredth time that day. Just like he had every day for months. Or was it years now? Sometimes he thought he saw him, but it was only his deceitful imagination. Or the heat shimmering. He’d often seen a lone figure approaching and [...]

Shields Up

15 October 2008

11189 CommentsShields+Up2008-10-15+10%3A00%3A53Stephen+Altrogge

For you bless the righteous O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12) There are certain scriptures that can have a wonderful, tone-setting effect for an entire day, and I think this is one of them. What would it be like if we walked through our days with this scripture in [...]

The King Who Wouldn’t Be King

5 June 2008

5082 CommentsThe+King+Who+Wouldn%27t+Be+King2008-06-05+10%3A00%3A30Stephen+Altrogge

If someone offered you a kingdom, would you take it? Here’s the scene: Jesus and his disciples are being swarmed by a massive, miracle-craving crowd of men, women, and children. We’re probably talking somewhere in the range of 10,000 people. The crowd wasn’t really interested in Jesus the teacher; they were more interested in Jesus the healer. [...]

Have You Heard His Voice?

25 March 2008

3462 CommentsHave+You+Heard+His+Voice%3F2008-03-25+11%3A00%3A47Mark+Altrogge

Jesus surprised Mary Magdalene. She was looking for him, but he actually found her. She followed him since he first cast 7 demons out of her. In love and gratitude, she and some other women Jesus healed accompanied him and supported him out of their own purses. They followed him to [...]

Our Cursing God

15 January 2008

2412 CommentsOur+Cursing+God2008-01-15+13%3A00%3A00Stephen+Altrogge

We tend to associate curses with sorcery, Halloween, witchcraft, Harry Potter, and the like. In these contexts, a curse is usually some horrible supernatural jinx that will bring death and destruction into someone’s life. We’ve all seen images of wizards raising their wands, uttering some odd phrase like, “Salama Meatbell”, and then shooting [...]

You Killed Jesus, and So Did I

11 January 2008

2397 CommentsYou+Killed+Jesus%2C+and+So+Did+I2008-01-11+13%3A00%3A00Stephen+Altrogge

Have you ever heard someone say, “If you were the only person on earth God would have still sent Jesus to die for you, that’s how much you’re worth to God.”? The next time you hear someone say that, do the following: _Look them directly in the eyes and smile politely _Place one hand on their [...]

God Loves You, But Does He Like You?

9 January 2008

2368 Comments2008-01-09+13%3A00%3A00Stephen+Altrogge

Have you ever wondered if God really likes you? Because you’re a John 3:16-believing Christian you know that God loves you, but does he like you? We all have people in our lives that we “love” but that we struggle to like. You know the sort I’m talking about. Maybe it’s [...]

Would You Kill Your Son?

14 December 2007

21310 CommentsWould+You+Kill+Your+Son%3F2007-12-14+13%3A00%3A00Stephen+Altrogge

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.Can you name the verse? Probably. John 3:16, one of the most well known, oft-quoted verses in the Bible. We see it plastered everywhere. Bumper stickers, greeting cards, [...]