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The Legacy of Faith, Hope & Love – Hope – Part 2
When life changes, God remains faithful Romans 5:2–5 “Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help…
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Which Bible Character Do You Identify With Most? Peter, Nehemiah… and Us
Sometimes we read the stories of people in the Bible and think, I could never be like them. We place them on pedestals, seeing only their greatest moments of faith while overlooking the painful chapters of their lives. It’s almost as though we read their stories through rose-coloured glasses. Take David, for example. We…
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The Legacy of Faith, Hope & Love – Faith – Part 1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” — Hebrews 11:1 Have you ever met someone whose faith left a lasting impression on your life? Maybe they never stood on a large stage or wrote a bestselling book, but there was something unmistakable about the…
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Why Was God So Violent in the Old Testament?
Throughout my life as a pastor I’ve been asked some hard questions. One of the most common questions people ask when reading the Bible is, “Why does God seem so violent in the Old Testament?” We read stories of wars, judgment, and entire nations being destroyed. At first glance, it seems difficult to reconcile…
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Love & Marraige – Building A Strong Marriage That Lasts – Part 2
My parents shared their marriage vows in the warm summer of 1955. Like so many couples, their marriage followed a winding road. There were house moves, career changes, two kids, and all the ups and downs that life inevitably brings. What I witnessed every day growing up was a life marked by love, faithfulness,…
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Love & Marriage – Choosing a Lifelong Partner – Part 1
I still remember standing at the front of the church in my white tuxedo. Yes, it was the 1980s after all. The groomsmen stood beside me, the bridesmaids across the way, and then the music began. I looked down the aisle and saw my beautiful bride walking toward me with her father at her…
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When Faith Costs Everything: Persecution vs. Cultural Rejection
The restaurant overlooked the slow, steady flow of the Saigon River. It was one of thoseplaces where you linger, where conversation matters. I was there to meet a Vietnamesepastor for the first time. Since we’d never met, I chose a seat facing the door, hoping to make things easy. One by one, people came…
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Revitalizing the Church for the Future – Principles – Part 2
In this post, we’ll talk about the principles that breathe life back into a church; theconvictions that help us move from simply maintaining something to seeing it renewed. Foundations matter. They hold weight. They determine what can be built. But foundations alone don’t bring life to a house. The Mission Stays the Same –…
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Breathing New Life: Revitalizing a Church for the Future – Part 1
When God Calls You To a Church in Decline Several years ago, we were sitting at a district conference listening to a report from one of our leaders. He shared that a significant number of churches in our movement had either plateaued or were in decline. As we listened, something inside us quietly said,…
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When Ministry Becomes a Job
There is a quiet danger that sneaks up on pastors long before they ever see it coming. It doesn’t arrive with scandal, sin, or rebellion. It doesn’t begin with a moral collapse or a public failure. It begins with something far more subtle and far more socially acceptable. It begins when you stop tending…