Category Archives: Uncategorized

Upgrading a Church of Christ Worship Service Without Buying a Guitar, Part IIA

About 18 months ago, I wrote this post on how to upgrade an a cappella worship service. And then for some reason, just today it became a comment magnet. It’s not that surprising, really. This post has garnered around 4,000 … Continue reading

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Election: Isaiah 65

There are numerous prophesies in the Old Testament about God’s plans for Israel. We don’t study them because we thnk they have little to do with “New Testament Christianity.” We think they were written for a people that God rejected … Continue reading

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Election: Romans 8:31-39 (“we are more than conquerors”)

Indeed — (Rom 8:31-34)  What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will … Continue reading

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Ministry Ideas: Harvest Hands

Harvest Hands is among our oldest and most popular ministries. It even has its own facilities built just for this program. And all it does is give groceries away to those who are in need. Lately, it’s been providing groceries … Continue reading

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Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: The Very Words of God

The apostles followed Jesus “until they were covered by the dust of his feet,” as the ancient saying goes. And they were immersed in the text. Jesus learned the text, lived the text, taught the text, prayed the text, and … Continue reading

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Ministry Ideas: Celebrate Recovery

Several months ago, some of our members began working with some of our staff to start a chapter of Celebrate Recovery at our church. It took months of planning and preparation, but we finally got started earlier this year. “Celebrate … Continue reading

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Ministry Ideas: B.A.G.S.

I thought it might be worthwhile to use a few posts to share some ministry ideas. Most of these will come from my own congregation, but this is not to brag. It’s just that I can only write what I … Continue reading

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Election: Romans 8:29 (“those God foreknew he also predestined”)

(Rom 8:29)  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Whom did God “foreknow”? The word only appears one other time in the … Continue reading

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Football, Annoying Comments, and Baptism (Not in Order of Importance)

A question has been raised regarding where my attentions have been. Well … I should think it would have been obvious. I’ve been busy watching Alabama beat Arkansas — This has got to be one of the all-time great runs … Continue reading

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Election: Romans 8:28 (“called according to his purpose”)

We’ve already considered the core of this magisterial passage. But my proposed interpretation of chapters 9 – 11 so radically changes our understanding of 8:28 ff, it’s critical that we consider chapter 8 in light of chapters 9 – 11 … Continue reading

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