Unreasonable Love
Pastor Doug Dent
To underscore the impudent nature of God’s graciousness, Jesus refers to the practice of buying and selling in the marketplace. “A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (v. 38). Merchants rarely “pressed down” or “shook […]
The Blessing That Counts
Pastor Doug Dent
It really does no good to count our blessings. Nor does it help to count our misfortunes. When Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor…the hungry…and those who weep,” he is bearing witness to the truth that God oversees creation, and that God is not finished with us yet. God will inevitably bless us, for it […]
Who You Gonna Call?
Pastor Doug Dent
We are all unlikely candidates for discipleship. There are no super-Christians, only ordinary people, hesitant in their faith, sometimes wavering in their commitment, oftentimes difficult to live with. As a collective group, we are sinful, hypocritical, stingy, short-tempered, insecure; in short, no different from any other gathering of human beings on this globe. Yet haven’t […]
The Extended Mind
Pastor Doug Dent
The extended Christian mind. We have one Spirit, one faith, and one Lord Jesus; but the gifts of God are given to us in a variety of forms, so that we can be both smart and effective as we do God’s work in the world.
Uncensored Libraries
Pastor Doug Dent
There is nothing fake about power of the Word of God or its power to refresh our souls and guide our steps. It is no lie that we understand Scripture best when we “stand under” God’s Word and allow it to mold our hearts, souls, and minds. When the Word is read and interpreted, we […]
In Good Company
Pastor Doug Dent
Today’s reading from the prophet Isaiah tells us what baptism does promise during our life on this earth. Isaiah does not mention the Christian sacrament, of course, but he does speak about the experience of passing through the waters, and where God may be trusted to be as we do so: “Do not fear, for […]
Our Moral Compass
Pastor Doug Dent
On the other hand, we must remember that it is easy to think we are on the right path when, in reality, we are not even headed on a magnetic north heading, let alone a true north heading. We easily fool ourselves, putting false idols, false images and attractive destinations ahead of the righteous path […]
Herod: Afraid of His Shadow
Pastor Doug Dent
Now, it falls to us to partner with God’s transforming work each day, each moment, and with each person we encounter, sharing the hope we have of a world where will be light and life, and love. This is not easy work God calls us to do, the shadows contain powerful enemies, but with God […]
The Unused Gift
Pastor Doug Dent
On this Christmas Eve, we need to ask ourselves how are we putting the gift of grace to best use? With whom will we share the gift of grace? How does our life reflect the character of the Giver? Do we believe ourselves to be children of God and live accordingly? The truth is that […]
Fearfully and Joyfully
Pastor Doug Dent
There are times in life when we experience fear and joy at the same time. The fear and joy of going away to college. The fear and joy of getting married. The fear and joy of starting a new job. The fear and joy of having a child. The fear and joy of skydiving. When […]
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