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Not A Hint

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality…” (Ephesians 5:3 NIV) Not even a hint. Not even a hint. Not even a HINT of sexual immorality. Paul doesn’t write, “Don’t sleep around with people you’re not married to.” He says, “There must not be even a hint of sexual immorality among [...]

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What Will Your Words Do Today?

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29) Today, our words have the potential to do one of two incredible things. Our words can corrupt others. Like an infectious disease, our grumbling, [...]

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Jumpin’ Catfish Filets, Batman!

It’s an unusual day that begins by answering a knock at the back door and one is greeted by two grizzled fishermen offering a bucket of 8 live bullhead catfish. That’s how my day off began.   I met them the evening before fishing at a local lake, and had talked with them a while.  Their [...]

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Making Bible Reading Simple

Have you ever gotten lost while reading your Bible? You’re wandering through Judges, and as you’re reading about bloody sacrifices, bloodier battles, and a long-haired strong man killing hundred of Philistines with a jaw bone, you suddenly realize, I have no idea what this means for me today. What do ram sacrifices, the sun going [...]

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You Are What You Tweet

The things I can do on and Facebook and Twitter are incredible. I can let you know exactly what I’m doing at 2:01 P.M. on Tuesday afternoon (drinking my third cup of coffee). I can post that goofy picture of me and my buddy sporting our sweetest 80’s clothes. I can take a quiz that helps [...]

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Should I Watch This Movie? (Part 2)

This is a continuation of a previous post entitled Should I Watch This Movie? Here are a few more questions to help you check your current cinema consumption: Does This Movie Tempt Me to Sin? This category is broad, so let me break it down: Am I tempted to lust after the images on the screen? Not much explanation [...]

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Should I Watch This Movie?

You bought your ticket. You spent seven dollars on a four quart soda and a tub of butter-soaked popcorn. Your pockets are lined with Mike & Ike’s, Jujubes, and Milk Duds. You’re jazzed out of your tube socks to see the first summer blockbuster. One question remains: should you watch it? The fact is, you’ll be a [...]

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Do You Want To Be A Monk?

If you build enough moral fences around a person, can you make them holy? Saint Benedictine thought so. Benedict, who established numerous monasteries in the 6th century A.D., created a detailed set of rules for those living in his monasteries. Those rules included: Seven appointed times of prayer and devotion, including one at 2 A.M. Monks were [...]

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Facebook Meets Wisdom

I’m on Facebook. You’re on Facebook. Your kids, mom, youth group, and dog hang out in Facebook world. The site can be a useful tool, allowing you to chat with friends, post pictures of your “Anakin Skywalker” themed birthday party, and send little notes to your pals like, “Haha, LOL, C U L8TR” (I’m being [...]

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What’s Your Disposition?

This quote is jimmy-jam packed with pastoral wisdom. John Owen understood that the way our bodies are wired can shape the nature of our temptations. For example, I’m particularly prone to the sin of worry. When the budget gets tight, I don’t just worry in my head, I feel it in my chest. Anxiety. Squeezing, [...]

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