Ten Questions: #7 – Why do you condemn homosexuality?
Complete question: Why do you condemn homosexuality when it’s clear that God made gays and that he loves all people the same? Summary The Story of Jesus’ interactions with the Samaritan woman () provides a helpful model for our consideration Jesus modeled the need to affirm God’s love toward all people–including men and women ensnared in …
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Accepting Donations: PayPal Plugins for WordPress
Yes, Please! I need a way to accept donations with PayPal now!! I wish there was an easy, 1-2-3 answer to this common request, but there are so many options within WordPress and other website tools for collecting donations. What’s really cool is that you’re reading this because you have or anticipate having people that …
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Ragamuffin Gospel: #3 – The Ragamuffin Gospel
Chapter 3 This chapter explores the love Jesus showed to the least in society as demonstrated by his actions. Much of the chapter focuses on the lowly position of children and the assertion that we must be like children when we approach Christ. Jesus taught this by His daily actions where he never held back from …
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Ten Questions: #4 – Wasn’t he a wise teacher, why try to make Jesus into the Son of God?
Summary Many people believe Jesus was given a “divine promotion” after his crucifixion that he never claimed for himself. Contrary to that belief, the dramatic explosion of devotion to Jesus points back to his teachings as the source. The New Testament record affirms that Jesus was believed to be the Messiah and that Jesus’ followers …
Ragamuffin Gospel: #1 – Something is Radically Wrong
Chapter 1 In this chapter Manning provides a strong argument that the institutional church in America is moving in the wrong direction, with the wrong message and misguided leadership. “The institutional church has become a wounder of the healers rather than a healer of the wounded.” Far too much emphasis is being placed on “what …
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“Triumphal” Entry into Jerusalem
Arrival at Bethany
Just a week before Passover, Jesus arrives at Bethany. The Pharisees and chief priests are on high alert, looking for Jesus, wanting to arrest him and complete their mission to kill him. Apparently they have Lazarus in their sights as well. Mary, the sister of Lazarus, pours expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus–crazy thing …
James and John and Mom — Request for Honored Positions
In this passage we find the Zebedee’s approaching Jesus to ask for a privilege: the brothers, James and John, want to be seated to the left and right of Jesus–at his side. Why would they ask such a thing? Most of the times I’ve read this, I just think they are being foolish, even self-serving, …
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Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time
At this point, Jesus is headed to Jerusalem with his disciples and others who are following. Once again, Jesus predicts his arrest, inquisition, death and resurrection. Once again, the disciples are left scratching their heads trying to understand this consistent message from Jesus. Two phrases caught my attention this morning: 1) Jesus took his disciples …