One weekend in college before Juli and I were married, I went to spend the weekend with her at her parents’ home in the suburbs of Chicago. She met me at the door and asked me to go wait for her on the back porch where her dad was watching television. When I came out on the back porch, I
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This situation doesn’t concern my department. I’m sure the pastors and Elders are on it. Talking about this might be gossip. I could lose my job. I might not get the scholarship. This could jeopardize my book deal. This could affect my future pay. This could mess up future potential promotions. I don’t want to lose a speaking engagement. I
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One of the common reactions when a church or ministry finds itself embroiled in a scandal is what I call the Double Down Response. You see it all the time, a scandal breaks out and there is a rush to affirm the mission statement, the core doctrines and the gospel. The scenario plays out in text book-like patterns, a Christian
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Jeremiah 31:33 (NIV) “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. When I was a kid growing up in church I remember lots of discussions
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As my family gathers to celebrate the Christmas holiday this year there will be a pregnant mom at our table and joining us around the tree. As our family awaits the arrival of a grandson, nephew and son we’re in wonder about who this child will become. Will he have eyes like his mom, Will he smile like dad? And
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Proverbs 11:1 (NIV) The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him. In Acts chapter 5:1- 11 we find the story of a couple who had deceived their church. It’s the account of the fate of Ananias and Sapphira who had sold a piece of land but only gave a portion to the Lords work. Moved by
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Joe, a leader at First church, was charged with finding a company to repave the church parking lot. His college buddy had recently started a paving company and Joe secretly wanted to help his friend build up his business. Though Joe knew about previous less-than-honest dealings that his friend was involved in, he presented the company in a positive light,
» Read moreA good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 (NIV) If there’s one thing I hate, it’s when someone says something about me that isn’t true – especially when it paints a less than favorable picture of my character. This happened to me recently, and it sure made me
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John 8:32 (NIV) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. There’s a popular commercial on television where a young lady is talking on the street with her neighbor. The woman makes a statement and the man says, “Where’d you hear that.” The woman quips back in a matter of fact tone, “On the internet.”
» Read moreDeuteronomy 4:39(NIV) Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. It seems that opinions about God and who He is are everywhere these days. I saw it on social media the other day, “This life is all you have, there’s no one and nothing
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