Encountering Jesus on the Way
Death is real. So is resurrection. We can experience resurrection even before physical death.
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Agape
Written for Agape Fellowship
When the Powers Take Over – NT
When the Powers Take Over The Experience of the Church Colossians 2:6–19 In a previous article, I examined how supposedly Godly people become enmeshed in behavior that is obviously evil. I illustrated this through the story of the Golden Calf in Exodus 32, as well as the contemporary story of a Mennonite farmer turned drug
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When the Powers Take Over – OT
When the Powers Take Over Israel’s Experience Exodus 32:1-14 The dateline on an article in the Los Angeles Times reads “February 1, 2024, Las Flores, Mexico.” It starts out like this: Franz Kauenhofen was once a pious member of his Mennonite community in this tropical stretch of southern Mexico. He read the Bible, tended to
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Look! The Days Are Coming!
Jeremiah 33:14–16; Luke 21:25–28 It was Thanksgiving weekend of 2021, also known as the beginning of the “Christmas season.” The excitement was building in a Milwaukee suburb as people lined the streets for the annual Christmas parade. It was especially anticipated because the year before, the Covid-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the parade.
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Managers in God’s Creation
Human beings are said to be created in the image of God. What does that mean? We can examine the context around this Biblical proclamation in Genesis 1:26–28.
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Whose Song Will We Sing?
Advent joy is different than the fleeting happiness of a “Merry Christmas.” Elizabeth and Mary sing a song that envisions God’s saving power over the oppressive powers of this world.
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Institutions and Loss
“Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (Jesus in John 12:24) We live in an age of great change, and great change usually means great losses. How will we respond?
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Telling the Truth with Patience: Oaths Revisited
Have you ever been in a situation where you simply could not convince someone of a truth you felt was obvious and self-evident? It can be frustrating. “Why won’t they believe me?” The temptation is to become angry, to lose your temper, and swear.
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The Happiness of True Blessings
The blessings of Jesus reflect the values of the Kingdom (Empire) of Heaven which run counter the happiness the world seeks.
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When Blessings Become Curses
God blesses us. We can bless God in return. However, because of sin, our words of blessing don’t match our attitudes and actions. Then, our blessings become curses.
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