With the onset of the pandemic, many businesses changed their business practices. What was once done in person now became acceptable, and often preferred, via zoom. It saved on travel, expense, and time. Churches followed suit, streaming their worship services over youtube or facebook. While most people would recognize there are lost elements to such
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Years ago we had a young woman in our church very gifted on the piano. At the time, we were in great need for musicians in worship and so I asked her if she would play. Most of the time I asked, however, she declined because of the stressful memories she had from performing on
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In my morning psalter I chanted these words, Nourish the Church at the banquet of your Word and Bread, strengthened by this food may she follow you in joy. Mundelein Psalter As much as I try to emphasize the importance of regular worship, this was nice to read. It helps as we reshape our view
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Someone recently asked me where in the Bible it tells us to have a daily quiet time. To the surprise of many, perhaps, it doesn’t. That’s important to know in a day that popular Christian culture deems it a must. A daily quiet time is not an ordinary means of grace. This is not to
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That is the question for many. Another question is also circulating: how should I treat the unvaccinated (or vaccinated, depending on your perspective)? That’s an easier question to answer. You love them. It’s not complicated. The parable of the good Samaritan shows us that we are to love those who very well might be viewed
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When we think of attending a worship service, “practical” isn’t what generally comes to mind. Perhaps “obligatory” (for those who attend out of a sense of duty) or “beautiful” (for those who enjoy the music and aesthetics), or “helpful” (for those who appreciate the teaching) are more familiar words to associate with worship. And yet,
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Do you struggle with a habit of prayer? Many of us have this general notion that we ought to pray more than we do, but struggle to do it. Where do you start? Who should I pray for? What should I pray? Let me share what has helped me. In terms of when to pray and
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seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness… There are so many things we can follow. We follow people on social media. We follow news outlets. We follow auctions. We follow the party line. We follow athletes and mentors and gurus. We follow career paths and education tracks. As believers of Jesus, we first
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He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. (Lk 1:32–33) The beginning of the year is
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500 years ago Martin Luther invited the Church to discuss his theological concerns with the teaching and practice of the sale of indulgences (October 31, 1517). That invitation, delivered in the form of 95 theses nailed to the door (think prominent bulletin board) of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, became the spark of the
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