Simply Gospel

May my steps be worship. May my thoughts be praise.

  • Never Forgive

    We seem to be a species with short memories, but I’ve come to the conclusion that there is one standout exception. We have long memories when it comes to things that hurt us. I may not recall that my wife got me my favorite cupcakes on December 7, 2003, but I’ll sure remember that Preacher Joe said something from the pulpit that will make me never want to worship with him again. Also, I may quickly forget how I wronged someone ten years ago while their own faults pop into my mind whenever I think of them. The same goes… Continue reading

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  • Finishing What We Begin

    I am very proficient at not getting things done. I have a number of video games at which I’m at something like 90% completion. I have two nearly finished novels sitting on my hard drive. I have a couple video projects for school lying around that are about two-thirds done, and I have more unfinished blog posts than I can count sitting in my MarsEdit drafts. I am an expert at almost finishing what I begin. I hope I fare better with my Christian journey. Hebrews 12:1-2 give us some instructions on beginning that journey: Therefore, since we are surrounded… Continue reading

  • Making Everyone’s Day Better

    Galatians 6:10 is a verse I revisit time and again in my spiritual studies: So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. I used to teach from this that we should make it a goal to improve someone’s day every day. I’ve changed my mind, though. I don’t think we should be making someone’s day better everyday. I think we should try to make everyone’s day better – well, at least everyone with whom we come in contact. There is not one person we run… Continue reading

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  • Living Christ at School

    Note: This lesson is a part of a larger series being held by my congregation called Worship 24 x 7. I was privileged to be able to deliver this portion of the series, and I hope to have the opportunity to deliver another message about our online conduct soon. They’re not up yet, but you’ll soon be able to see others’ lessons in the series over on our congregational blog. We’ve been studying about worship the last few weeks at our congregation, and we’ve emphasized time and again that worship is more than what we do when we gather together… Continue reading

  • Abstaining from Ridicule

    Yesterday, one of my younger cousins posted this to Facebook: Let’s try to be humble, rational people; truth needs no help from mockery and laughter in its defense (even if we are surrounded by those who agree with us that an opposing viewpoint is false)…Mockery says, ‘I am better’…and what better way is there to cloud judgment than to be prideful? I remember that a congregation I once attended offered a World Religions class during Bible Study time. The teacher, I think, did a fine job trying to teach us about other belief systems as respectfully as he could while… Continue reading

  • Freedom We All Hold Dear

    In 1942, the population of the United States was still reeling from the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941 that led to our country becoming more active in World War II. In 1942, the Wannsee Conference in Berlin concluded to pursue a “final solution” to the perceived “Jewish question.” In 1942, the war that had already been ravaging much of Europe suddenly seemed much closer to home. Schools practiced bomb drills. The idea of an air raid became reality. Gasoline rationing began in the United States. And, in the midst of all of this, a composer by… Continue reading

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  • Our Forgiving Father

    One more thought as Father’s Day comes to a close: And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” And they began to celebrate. Now his older… Continue reading

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  • Our Adoptive Father

    For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. -Romans 8:14-17 I’m going to let you in on a secret. My wife and I… Continue reading

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  • Al Tirah

    The text in this post is very similar to a post I wrote November 1, 2010. I recently revised it and presented it as a sermon at the congregation I attend. I present the lesson here in its entirety, along with the text I lifted from my previous post. Original lesson inspired by and Fear Monsters from altirausa.com. What can separate us from our relationship with God? Immediately, most Christians would say, “Nothing,” and go on to cite passages like Romans 8:35-39, where Paul addresses persecuted Christians thusly: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or… Continue reading

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  • Stop Throwing People Away

    I want to challenge you to do something today – or, rather, to stop doing something, as the case may be. I want you, me, us to stop throwing people away. Just stop. Don’t do it anymore. Take that proverbial garbage bin we carry around in our psyches, and toss it in the recycling bin. When we look around at those around us – at our friends, our colleagues, our coworker, our peers, our waiters and waitresses, our telemarketers – we need to stop seeing something that’s disposable and worthless and instead see something to be treasured and preserved. I… Continue reading

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