relationship (202)

Ian

Saving Love

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” —John 3:17 (NRSV) Have you ever started disciplining a kid (whether your own, relative, or perhaps you were bold and…

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Ian

Prepare to Prepare

Psalm 80; Zechariah 13:1–9; Revelation 14:6–13 If you’ve ever watched a professional chef (besides the competition ones), they will often have pre-cut and -measured ingredients so that when a customer orders a dish, most of the time-consuming work is completed. If you’ve ever ordered a…

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Ian

A Promise

Isaiah 44:21–28; Ezekiel 34:25–31; Mark 14:22–26 Remember. We are called on to remember things every day. Some have become so ingrained (putting undergarments, I hope) that we don’t actually remember them; we just do them. Like many things that are ingrained, relationships aren’t. We might…

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Ian

Thankfulness as Discipleship

2 Timothy 1:1–9 Thankfulness is often for that which benefits us. We are thankful for homes, jobs, food, family, Jesus. Paul is thankful for Timothy. Paul’s simple gratefulness for Timothy’s enduring faith is plain to see. Paul does view Timothy as a son, but not…

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Ian

Yieldingly Strong

Malachi 1:6–14; 1 Peter 2:1–10 Many years ago, there was a Star Trek show called Voyager. Overall, I don’t remember much about it, but I do recall this scene between Neelix (guest alien onboard) and Tuvok (i.e., Vulcan, humorless, emotionless, kind of like a robot):…

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