Author: Pastor John
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Accidental Goodness?

“Oops!” Haven’t we all said that? We say it when we do something poorly or accidentally. We say it when we wish that we could have done something different. It is an exclamation of our mess ups. Have you ever said “oops!” when you did a good thing? How often does that happen? Does it…
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What Happens When We Know God’s Love?

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 Corinthians 4:1 Did you have a grandmother like mine? In my grandmother’s house there were smells and expressions that told me I was loved and safe. Smiles, fresh-baked chocolate chip (or oatmeal) cookies, and hugs were common. So, there…
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Walk With Me

Paul said, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 Quite a statement! It is just 11 words, but it speaks of Paul’s desire to see those around him become like Jesus. It speaks of a type of discipleship that was more modeling than teaching. It also speaks of a man…
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Struggle Together

Commiserate. This word comes to us from two Latin words. It means to “lament with”. Commiserating happens when we walk with each other through our struggles. Have we really thought about how important walking together through struggles is? Paul shares with the church in Corinth that – “We had the sentence of death within ourselves…
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Bridge Building 101 – Why Do It?

This week I invite you to think together with me about building bridges. No, I don’t mean the type of bridges that we drive cars across. I mean bridges between people. Bridges are built by common interests. Bridges are built by friendliness and a heart that is willing to listen. Bridges are built by honesty…
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Unrealized Power

Paul tells the Ephesians this – I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.…
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Rebel Against the Evil King

How do you usually approach improving yourself? Do you do it piecemeal? Do you use motivational phrases? We know that God urges us to be like Jesus. Yet, have we considered how He speaks of getting there? The reason I ask these questions is that I was reacquainted with an interesting encouragement from Paul’s letter…
