In our second sermon from Skye Jethani’ excellent book “With” we will the spiritual dryness of a Life Over or Apart from God. Jethani writes “my concern is those who claim Christian faith and even participate in a local church but may actually have the same life over God posture as atheists… they practice a faith that […]
Author Archives: paulrpurdue
LIFE UNDER GOD- April 3,2016 A series inspired by Skye Jethani’s excellent book “WITH” How do you relate to God? What is your primary image of God? What is your posture with God? Some live in fear under God. Some live over or apart from God. Some seek to take blessings from God. Some […]
The Bible has more to say about economics than “Thou shall not steal.” Indeed, the Levitical Holiness Code addresses past oppression, protection for the poor, and justice for foreigners. Friends, Christ calls us to a higher standard of living and doing that enriches and frees us. “8)You shall not steal” Exodus 20 In […]
How do we build fidelity? It is easy to quote the “thou shall nots”. It is harder to exemplify “the quality of being faithful”! This sermon offers seven specific practices that foster fidelity! We will explore questions! What does it mean to “forsake all others”? Does our vow entail forsaking possessions, playthings, and power for our partner? […]
The rabbis teach that it takes 3 forces to bring a life into the world, a mother, a father, and God. Honoring our parents honors God the Giver of Life. Hear the fifth and sixth commandments. “Honor your father and your mother so that your life will be long on the fertile land that the […]
The Bible offers two tellings of Moses receiving the 10 Commandments. One in Exodus and another in Deuteronomy. Against a literalism, we might notice that although the Sabbath commandment is largely the same, one saying “remember” and the other “observe,” Exodus and Deuteronomy offer different supporting arguments. Let’s hear the word of God. “Remember […]
Growing up, my parents back porch was a sort of sanctuary. One of dad’s younger brothers, Uncle Dave often came to visit, Uncle David, 15 years younger than dad, was a successful businessman with newer, nicer cars, finer clothing, and more sophisticated tastes than his older brother. My parent’s home offered warmth and love that […]
If I stood at center ice of Bridgestone arena, grabbed the microphone and said “I believe that hockey is the greatest sport in the world” would that make me a hockey player? Or would I need to learn how to ice skate? Would I need to understand what the blue line is for? Shouldn’t I […]
Right after Christmas, we were on vacation in New Orleans as part of our family quest to see all of the lower 48 states before Lewis and Caleb graduate from college. I also was helping officiate Ann Marie Honeycutt and Pat Ramirez’s Wedding. I was feeling deeply relaxed. I woke up at 6 o’clock […]
“Where Do We Go From Here?” In 1972 Dr. Martin Luther King looked around America and asked that question. King saw two fundamental and divergent responses to the problems that have plagued America since long before the civil rights movement and continue to infect our society in 2016. Some may think our current terrorism is […]
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