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Mar 2014 31 Mar 31, 2014
3

I felt my heart “strangely warmed” today. Yesterday the baseball season officially opened in San Diego as the Padres defeated the Dodgers 3-1. O.K., yes, there was a game “down under” a week ago, but it only counts in the standings! Continue reading . . . I felt my heart “strangely warmed” today. Yesterday the baseball season officially opened in San Diego as the Padres defeated the Dodgers 3-1. O.K., yes, there was a game “down...Read More

Mar 2014 31 Mar 31, 2014
2

[Last Monday, my friend Wade Burleson, Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Enid, Oklahoma, posted on his blog (www.wadeburleson.org) an article titled, “Four Blood Moons: It’s Called Lunacy for a Reason.” Everyone needs to read it, so he has given me permission to post it here again. You may not agree with all he says, but you will be enlightened and challenged in the process!] Continue reading . . . [Last Monday, my friend Wade Burleson, Senio...Read More

Mar 2014 28 Mar 28, 2014
1

In the previous article we started our study of Philippians 4:1-3 and the question of how we are to address those difficult situations when Christians can’t get along. Continue reading . . . In the previous article we started our study of Philippians 4:1-3 and the question of how we are to address those difficult situations when Christians can’t get along. “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lo...Read More

Mar 2014 27 Mar 27, 2014
2

This past week I counted up and gave some considerable thought to the churches that I’ve either regularly attended while growing up or at which I have served on pastoral staff. The total came to an even dozen. Continue reading . . . This past week I counted up and gave some considerable thought to the churches that I’ve either regularly attended while growing up or at which I have served on pastoral staff. The total came to an even dozen. Included among thes...Read More

Mar 2014 26 Mar 26, 2014
2

 It wasn’t an easy article to read, but I pressed through to the end. It was short, but repulsive. In this week’s edition of The Week (March 28, 2014) there was a report on the behavior of Lady Gaga at the recent South by Southwest festival in Austin. Continue reading . . . It wasn’t an easy article to read, but I pressed through to the end. It was short, but repulsive. In this week’s edition of The Week (March 28, 2014) there was a report o...Read More

Mar 2014 25 Mar 25, 2014

Most of you have probably heard or read by now of some significant and tragic news about World Vision. Continue reading . . . Most of you have probably heard or read by now of some significant and tragic news about World Vision. They have altered their personnel policy that now enables them to hire gay men and women who are living in same-sex “marriages.” The best explanation of this change and how it serves to undermine the gospel is found in an article by ...Read More

Mar 2014 25 Mar 25, 2014

We are officially receiving applications for the new position of Pastor of Missions and Evangelism (a full-time, salaried position to be filled no sooner than July 1, 2014). Continue reading . . . New Pastoral Position open at Bridgeway Church - We are officially receiving applications for the new position of Pastor of Missions and Evangelism (a full-time, salaried position to be filled no sooner than July 1, 2014). If you are interested, please contact Andy Dowdell, at...Read More

Mar 2014 24 Mar 24, 2014
2

Today and tomorrow N. T. Wright will be in Oklahoma City lecturing on the campus of Oklahoma Christian University (a Church of Christ school only blocks from my house). Continue reading . . . Today and tomorrow N. T. Wright will be in Oklahoma City lecturing on the campus of Oklahoma Christian University (a Church of Christ school only blocks from my house). Tonight he will speak on the subject of truth in a postmodern world and will be joined tomorrow by Richard Hays a...Read More

Mar 2014 22 Mar 22, 2014
1

We’ve finally arrived at the fourth and fifth words of exhortation in 1 Peter 3:8. Continue reading . . . We’ve finally arrived at the fourth and fifth words of exhortation in 1 Peter 3:8. Peter here tells us to cultivate a “tender heart.” This is not a word about conduct but about your insides, literally, your belly, your spiritual guts. The literal translation of the Greek here means "feel generous in the depths of your being.” It's exac...Read More

Mar 2014 21 Mar 21, 2014

We turn next to what Peter says about “brotherly love.” Continue reading . . . We turn next to what Peter says about “brotherly love.” This, of course, is the translation of the Greek word philadelphia. Be "brotherly" and “sisterly,” if there is such a word. That is, don't view each other as strangers, or as mere acquaintances, or as distant relatives. View each other as close family. A family can have some pretty serious squabbles an...Read More

Mar 2014 20 Mar 20, 2014

We are examining 1 Peter 3:8 and Peter’s exhortation to all Christians. Continue reading . . . We are examining 1 Peter 3:8 and Peter’s exhortation to all Christians: “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind” (1 Peter 3:8). There are dozens of things that Peter might have said to us about our responsibility toward one another. In fact, we could put together a lengthy list from the...Read More

Mar 2014 19 Mar 19, 2014

Joshua Bell may not be a name familiar to many of you. He and his two sisters grew up on a farm in Bloomington, Indiana. Although he was a fairly good athlete, especially when it came to tennis, his true gift was music. Continue reading . . . Joshua Bell may not be a name familiar to many of you. He and his two sisters grew up on a farm in Bloomington, Indiana. Although he was a fairly good athlete, especially when it came to tennis, his true gift was music. When he was...Read More

Mar 2014 18 Mar 18, 2014
2

There is one thing for which I have very little tolerance and for which I have reserved the harshest language that God allows me to use. Continue reading . . . Subsequent to my having given up golf as a serious pursuit, there aren’t many things that cause me to lose my temper. In case you didn’t understand that statement, let me put it bluntly: there are scattered throughout the state of Oklahoma several golf courses in which there are ponds or lakes, at the...Read More

Mar 2014 17 Mar 17, 2014
1

[I posted this article about the same time last year: the day following the selection of those teams now preparing to play in the NCAA basketball tournament. If you missed it, you need to read it.] Continue reading . . . [I posted this article about the same time last year: the day following the selection of those teams now preparing to play in the NCAA basketball tournament. If you missed it, you need to read it.] If you aren’t a fan of college basketball here i...Read More

Mar 2014 14 Mar 14, 2014
2

Often we excuse our failure to speak truth into a person’s life because of the pain and emotional discomfort it may cause them. We live under the assumption that genuine love will do whatever it can either to prevent or alleviate the immediate distress in the object of our affection. To permit their pain to continue, or to act in such a way that it might even increase, is in the minds of many misguided folk a sign of cold indifference at best, and calloused hatred ...Read More

Mar 2014 13 Mar 13, 2014

We’ve been looking at Philippians 3:17-21. As we bring this to a conclusion, I want to draw your attention to the striking contrasts portrayed for us by Paul. Continue reading . . . “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and...Read More

Mar 2014 12 Mar 12, 2014

In the previous post I mentioned a few of the so-called “role models” in our society who ought to be ignored rather than imitated. Well, there were quite a few back in the first century as well, and Paul describes them for us in Phil. 3:18-19. Continue reading . . . “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk...Read More

Mar 2014 11 Mar 11, 2014

I’ve been blessed to have several people in my life who’ve exerted tremendous influence on who I am today. Continue reading . . . “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on ...Read More

Mar 2014 10 Mar 10, 2014
1

I can live in the absence of a lot of things. If pressured to do so, I can probably get by without baseball and movies and books and a nice car and the home where Ann and I currently reside. To lose all that would be hard. It would put a strain on life. But I think I can live without them. Continue reading . . . I can live in the absence of a lot of things. If pressured to do so, I can probably get by without baseball and movies and books and a nice car and the home whe...Read More

Mar 2014 7 Mar 7, 2014

I’m excited to announce that we are officially receiving applications for a new position on our pastoral staff here at Bridgeway Church. We are looking for a Pastor for Missions and Evangelism. Continue reading . . . I’m excited to announce that we are officially receiving applications for a new position on our pastoral staff here at Bridgeway Church. We are looking for a Pastor for Missions and Evangelism. This is a full-time, salaried position that we hope...Read More

Mar 2014 6 Mar 6, 2014
2

I recently heard of a church where the leadership has decided to ordain a woman as an Elder. This congregation had, until now, been solidly (or so it seemed) complementarian in its view of the relationship of men and women in local church leadership. What are we to make of this decision on their part? Continue reading . . . I recently heard of a church where the leadership has decided to ordain a woman as an Elder. This congregation had, until now, been solidly (or so i...Read More

Mar 2014 5 Mar 5, 2014
1

The ultimate motivation in God’s heart for saving lost souls was so that they might become, throughout all eternity, trophies on display for all to see the magnificence and the surpassing riches of God’s grace in kindness in Christ! Continue reading . . . Look with me at what Paul says in Ephesians 2:7. God made us alive together with Christ and raised us up with him “so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kind...Read More

Mar 2014 4 Mar 4, 2014

The most glorious news about Christ’s suffering in our stead is that through bearing our sins in his body and by enduring our wounds or stripes God has made it possible for us to return to the “Shepherd” and “Overseer” of our souls (1 Peter 2:24-25). Continue reading . . . The most glorious news about Christ’s suffering in our stead is that through bearing our sins in his body and by enduring our wounds or stripes God has made it poss...Read More

Mar 2014 3 Mar 3, 2014
2

It is only as we think about and reflect and meditate on the glorious fact that because of his death we will never, ever be condemned that we will find the power and incentive and desire to live as if we were dead to sin and temptation. Continue reading . . . We read in 1 Peter 2:24-25 that Christ “himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like s...Read More

Mar 2014 1 Mar 1, 2014
2

I recently returned from a five-day ministry trip to England and would like to share a few observations on the spiritual condition of evangelicalism there. Continue reading . . . I recently returned from a five-day ministry trip to England and would like to share a few observations on the spiritual condition of evangelicalism there. Since 2005 I have participated almost annually in the Life in the Spirit conference and have been blessed to serve on the leadership team w...Read More