Year: 2020

Keeping One Another Human

“Jesus was always unequivocally supportive of those without voice or place in their communities — lepers, tax collectors, beggars, people who were unwhole.  He healed the broken, never making them feel as if they had no dignity. He restored outcasts to their communities. He invited new understanding of what it means to be a neighbor to everyone, no matter what their differences.”

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Understanding Evangelism: Three Key Terms

“When evangelism is strictly about sharing the good news, those who evangelize are energized and grow in faith, hope, and love. Conversion remains the amazing grace of the Holy Spirit. Evangelists help conversions happen, even being the linchpin at times. Church Growth stays as the work of the congregation, inviting others to join the community and letting them grow as a new member.”

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Dinner in the Desert

“Jesus knew what it was like being in the desert with no provisions. Remember, he spent forty days there, by himself, except for the tempter who waits for all of us. I may walk through an emotional or spiritual desert, but Jesus will walk with me, showing me where to go and how to survive.”

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The Language of Liturgy–Cyril and Methodius

“Their understanding of the Slavic language was exactly what the Byzantine emperor, Michael III, and Constantinople’s patriarch, Photius, needed to evangelize and build a relationship in Slavic  territory, so the two brothers were sent as missionaries. They ran into a hurdle almost immediately… If the Slavs were to understand the Good News in Christ, it would have to be in Slavonic…so Cyril set about creating an alphabet with Methodius’ help, so the liturgy and the Bible could be translated into the vernacular of the people.  His alphabet, the Glagolitic alphabet, would evolve into what we now know as the Cyrillic alphabet. (Yes, he’s *THAT* Cyril!)”

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Choosing Life

“The consensus eventually was that you can overcome having high academic aptitude by hard work, but there was no shortcut to kindness.”

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Bushel Baskets and Light

“In our best moments, moments when we’re really creating it all, that’s pretty much what can happen. People running towards the light to become a part of it all. We were made for that light. You know, a city built on a hill. Designed to glorify God and be that transformation.”

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Everyone is Loved by God

“…there are those who know all the words of worship by heart

and those who fumble with the bulletins and books

some sit quietly while others squirm and wiggle

some of the youngest delight in running up and down the aisles

and their parents simply want a space to rest…”

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Inside and Outside

“Jesus goes from the outside, the hidden place, to the inside, now the place of danger. In secret. And he can hear the muttering about him, pro and con, but all overshadowed by fear of the authorities.”

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