life (519)

Ian

Becoming Light

Jeremiah 30:12–22; John 12:36–43 Perhaps this has been said before, but an important lesson learned through Celebrate Recovery was, “hurt people hurt people.” When people are hurting, they lash out. Sometimes the pain is stress. Often it is thousands of little things (and sometimes only…

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Ian

To Live As Sacrifice

Psalm 105:1–11, 37–45 Genesis 22:1–19; Hebrews 11:1–3, 13–19 Post-traumatic stress is a real thing. There are many sources of trauma. We generally think of violence as the only source of trauma, but damaged relationships are equally the source of trauma for many individuals. Just like…

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Ian

Before and After

Psalm 105:1–11, 37–45; Genesis 21:1–7; Hebrews 1:8–12 “Remember the wondrous works he has done…” It would be nice to say that part of the culture and religious practices of the Jews made them different than others. Christians don’t have that luxury. We are the spiritual…

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Ian

Shun To Death

Psalm 77; Job 5:8–27; 1 Peter 3:8–18a Shun evil. That seems straightforward. However, we human beings often make it far too complicated. Or, even worse, we make it about others. The Christian life is not about others; it is about us. What we do, as…

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Ian

Storms in Store

Psalm 77; Job 4:1–21; Ephesians 2:1–10 I recently l read a pointed quip (one could call it an insult) at a man who had chosen to remain celibate rather than have a relationship with another man. The person wrote, “…This guy needs [religion] as an…

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