Mar

22

Christian Contours: How a Biblical Worldview Shapes the Mind and Heart

March 22, 2012 | 2 Comments

As a small group or church leader, do you ever run across a person with a mixed worldview? A Christian who can’t articulate the fundamentals of their faith? A Christian whose values and beliefs are blended with beliefs of other faiths or worldviews? Or perhaps you are discipling a person who holds onto lies and [...]

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Mar

8

Don’t Suffer Alone

March 8, 2012 | Comments Off

  As Peter brings his letter to a close, he offers encouragement to his audience, both young and old. It seems that he’s saying that suffering is hard, so we need one another. He tells the older readers to be good examples, to shepherd the flock of God that is among them. Sue Edwards points [...]

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Mar

1

Persevere with the End in Mind – 1 Peter 4:7-19

March 1, 2012 | Comments Off

We’re all terminal.  Yep, that’s the human condition. Not one of us will get out of this life alive. But for some reason, most of us live like we will. Peter, writing in about AD 60, says, “The end of all things is near.” Remember that he is writing to the diaspora – to Jews [...]

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Feb

16

Pursue Peace with Doves and Dragons – 1 Peter 3:8-12

February 16, 2012 | Comments Off

  This week in our Sue Edwards’ study on 1 Peter, we’re studying how to remain at peace with our brothers and sisters, as well as those who persecute us. I have to tell you that I’m not great at peacemaking. Sure it’s my intention, but when I’m crossed or offended, pride and self-protection rise [...]

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Feb

9

Strengthen the Sacred Mix–1 Peter 3: 1-7

February 9, 2012 | 1 Comment

Did you watch the Superbowl last weekend? I’m not much of a football fan, and certainly wasn’t excited about the teams after the local 49ers lost to the Giants in the playoffs. But like so many Americans, I watched the Superbowl for the commercials. Now I know that Superbowl commercials are always a little edgy, [...]

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Feb

6

The Mysterious Epigenome: What Lies Beyond DNA

February 6, 2012 | 3 Comments

I have to confess that science was one of my worst subjects in school. And the last time I took a science course was as an undergrad – let’s just say, a few years ago… So this book (provided by Kregel Publications) is not one I would ordinarily be attracted to. But since one of [...]

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Feb

2

1 Peter 2:11-25 — Submitting Like the Servant

February 2, 2012 | 2 Comments

In this fourth lesson of Sue Edwards’ study on 1 Peter, we come to what I consider to be some of the most difficult verses in the Bible. I am, by nature and heritage, a fighter. I feel justice deeply within my soul and spirit. Even as a child, I would get in trouble for [...]

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Jan

19

Let’s Study 1 Peter 1:13-2:3

January 19, 2012 | 1 Comment

I hope you’ve enjoyed studying 1Peter this past week. This week we’re in the second lesson of Sue Edwards’ study, covering 1 Peter 1:13-2:3. It’s a wonderful section, especially verses 13-14. Remember that this letter is addressed to people under duress. To exiles in the government-instigated Diaspora. People who were being tested and tried in [...]

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Jan

10

What’s in it for God?

January 10, 2012 | 2 Comments

As I always try to do the first week or so of January, I’ve been praying a lot about my year. I’ve evaluated last year, rejoicing in the things that worked and critiquing the things that didn’t. What do I want to repeat in 2012? What do I want to avoid like the plague in [...]

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Oct

23

Zombie Church: Breathing Life Back into the Body of Christ

October 23, 2011 | 5 Comments

Tyler Edwards, pastor of Cornerstone Christian Church in Joplin, MO, says there is something missing in the church today. Stuck in a rut of routines and rituals, he claims the church is caught up in doing what it is “supposed to do” but is lacking the true essence of what it is supposed to provide: [...]

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