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Ian

Learn Deeply

Mark 9:2–13, Mark 9:30–32 (read online ⧉) School could bring happiness to some, and great misery to others. Often the refrain of children is, “what’s the point.” “This is useless.” “I’ll never use this.” Perhaps you’ve said it yourself. Learning can often be hard. Learning…

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Ian

Full Sanctuary, Empty Hearts

Ezekiel 33:30–33, Matthew 15:1–9 (read online ⧉) Let’s be honest with ourselves. Let’s look at ourselves. Let’s look at the lives we lead, the lives we live. Is it us that God is talking to Ezekiel about? Reading only the surface of the Scriptures, of…

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Ian

Smite Me or Hug Me

2 Kings 17:34–41, Psalm 27 (read online ⧉) This passage in 2 Kings is a little odd. To make sense in English, fear is not used in a manner consistent with the Hebrew. In the opening (v34) and closing (v41) verses, fear is actually a…

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Ian

Another Test?

Nehemiah 8:1–6; Luke 24:18–27; Acts 17:10–15 (read online ⧉) The Israelite Exiles have returned home, sort of. As Ezra reads the Scriptures, the remnant of Israel learns what it means to be God’s chosen people. Generations had already wandered away emotionally and spiritually. Then they…

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Ian

Mocking Truth?

Luke 23:32–43, 2 Peter 3:1–18 (read online ⧉) Humor can be cruel. Often it is aimed at an individual who is different than us. Sometimes cruel humor helps us avoid our own insecurities. Humor can be quite painful at times. However, it the cruelty that…

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