Category: Christian Life
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Exiles and Elections
Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on…
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The Perils of Christian Celebrities
We’ve all seen them—news releases about well-known Christian leaders whose immoral behavior was exposed.These people have built enormous churches and ministries. They speak at large conferences. They write best-selling books. They charge huge fees for their services. Yet, with almost metronomic frequency, Christian leaders fall…
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Reflecting on Nineteen Months
The last nineteen months have been unlike any other period of my life. During that time, my mother, my father, and my only sister passed away. Losing three family members in such rapid succession has a jarring effect. The news of their passing (or imminent…
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Don’t Be Too Quick to Move Past Easter!
Once again Easter, with its Good Friday services, resurrection sermons, and choir specials, has come and gone. Without the enormous buildup of seasons like Christmas or Thanksgiving, it tends to creep up on us and pass quickly. Traditionally, it is the highest-attended church service of…
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Lessons Learned from a Pain in the Back
As I age, aches and pains are becoming an increasingly prominent concern. Growing old isn’t for sissies! Last December, I began experiencing severe back pain that caused numbness in my left leg. I had an MRI done. My orthopedic surgeon suggested I do seven weeks…
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Reflecting on the Life of Henry Blackaby
My father, Henry Blackaby, had the deepest and most profound influence on my life of anyone I have ever known (rivaled only by my mother). He modeled for me what it means to be a man of God. He demonstrated what loving God with all…
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The Narrow Way
One of America’s favorite game shows for many years was The Price is Right. A favorite feature was when contestants chose between what was behind doors number one, two, or three. Behind one of those doors was a fabulous prize. Behind the other two were…
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Just One Word
Over the course of my life, certain messages have exerted a profound effect on me: It’s a girl! . . . I do! . . . You don’t have cancer! . . . The vote was unanimous! With each short sentence, my life changed dramatically.…
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Too Many Things
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:41). “. . . but one thing I do . . .” (Phil. 3:13). It has been said, “If the devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you…
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Deliver Us from Evil
On October 7, 2023, the world was startled by grisly reports of violence erupting along the Gaza strip. Hamas terrorists, one thousand strong, had crossed the border and were killing, raping, and kidnapping more than 1,300 Israelis. Violence in that region is commonplace, but this…