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Visiting Revelation’s Churches
Revelation’s Seven Churches—I’m leading a group to visit them next April. You’ve never seen the Book of Revelation until you’ve been there—or the Book of Acts, or Paul’s and John’s and Peter’s letters. Next April 9-20, 2018 we’ll visit all Seven Churches—Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea—and Colossae, Miletus, Hieropolis, Troas and Troy.…
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A World of Geldings
“You can hardly open a periodical without coming across the statement that what our civilization needs is more ‘drive,’ or dynamism, or self-sacrifice, or ‘creativity.’ [But] In a sort of ghastly simplicity, we remove the organ and demand the function. We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at…
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The Mosquito in Your Room
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle [you know nothing about].” —Ian McLaren We impact every person we meet—there’s no stopping it. When we’re indifferent, people feel it—and often learn it—from us. The same thing is true when we’re kind, compassion and loving—people feel it and learn it—from us. That’s how…
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Thank You for Saving the World
Among the Jews is an old expression, “Whoever saves one life saves the world entire.”* Jesus said, “Greater love has no man than he lay down his life for his friends.” Today we thank God for those men and women of the United States Armed Forces who stood in the obstinate gap between peace and…
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The Most Dangerous Thing in the World
“Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your…
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Irrationalists
“Christians often explain away miracles for the sake of being rational about things… They acknowledge the God Who Created Everything, but find it difficult believing that this same God would occasionally suspend the natural laws of His own creation for the sake of His glory, because it’s ‘not rational’.” —Zachary Jason McCarl Pray big—rationality not required. God still parts seas. —j
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Marriage and Epic Perjury
I’ve performed hundreds of weddings and done way too much marriage counseling. Though I’ll stay the course, I admit I’ve toyed with the idea of not doing it anymore. Why? I’m weary of perjury. Read on—C.S. Lewis’ observations just may save your love. “Justice…includes keeping promises. Now—everyone who has been married in a church has made a public, solemn promise to…
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Why Does Jesus Love You?
“Jesus loves us not because we’re good, but because He’s Jesus.” —Pastor Kevin Green We can’t escape this fact anymore than God can escape Himself. Jesus loves broken people like us because He does as He is, and for no other reason. That is tremendous. Rejoice. —j
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What Are We Supposed To Do?
“Many years ago I asked the Lord why He called me to ministry and He answered me very clearly. He said, “This is how you will worship Me, and bring Me glory…” —Pastor Roger Ullman What is your calling? Not sure? What do you love to do that benefits and blesses others? That’s a much…
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The Big Contradiction
“Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, they reject the Bible because it contradicts them.” —Paul Harvey “My truth” is just another way of saying “The real thing offends me.” Actually, the real thing saves you, and it’s plain as the print on the page. Happy reading. —j
Jay McCarl 