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It would be just like him

The God of the Bible looks like Jesus, the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being. It would be just like him to go to the cross.

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Practicing Our Scales

Imagine if our walk with Christ, representing his kingdom in the world, were as practiced and pure as Hania Rani’s fingers on the piano keys.

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Rescue

I practice the spiritual discipline of rescuing earthworms on paved surfaces. It's a reminder to me that I can pause what I'm doing, get a little dirty, and help. Also, that I've been given the responsibility to care.

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Your Roots Are Showing

The life that I bring to the world can only be found in my attachment to Christ. His presence with me is essential.

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Connection

I live in a U.S. county with traffic problems. It's a peninsula, and what's not swamp land has been developed. Building new roads is difficult and expensive. Making things worse, roads that could connect don't.

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What's in the Bowl?

During a spring trip, my wife and I purchased a glass bowl. It's colorful and handmade. When I turn the bowl upside down, nothing falls out. Does that make it empty?

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Living Rick Shafer Living Rick Shafer

“You Motivated Me”

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. — Col. 3:17

I was halfway into my first mile when a young women waved me down. I walked over and she said, “I see you running a lot. You motivated me. I’ve lost fifty pounds.”

What a nice surprise! (It wasn’t my intention.)

We might assume Paul is telling the Colossians to be strategic with what they say and do. But what if he’s just encouraging them to faithfully bear God’s name all the time? Just live this way. Naturally. Genuinely. And then watch what happens. They will experience more eternal life. And perhaps an onlooker will be motivated to encounter it too.

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Forming Rick Shafer Forming Rick Shafer

The First Way

“We aren’t Left or Right. Christianity is a third way.” This statement is meant to help believers see the problems of over-identifying with worldly political tribes. The third way isn’t Moderate either. It’s a distinct, called-out, set-apart identity that finds its home in God’s kingdom, under Christ’s authority. This is what the word ‘holy’ means.

The idea of a third way can be improved. It’s really the first way. It’s the way we were originally created to live. Yes, humanity has wandered far, far afield. But Jesus has come to call us back. Repentance is a return. He made a way, and he is the way. The first way.

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Knowing Knowing

Whois

Being before doing. True for individuals and groups.

  • Knowing God (intimacy) is eternal life. (Jn 17:3)

  • Jesus is eternal life made manifest. (1 Jn 1:2)

  • To know Jesus (intimacy) is to know the Father (intimacy). (Jn 8:19)

  • God is other (holy). Be distinct as he is distinct. (Lev. 20:7)

  • Be immersed in God's name (his character). (Matt 28:19)

  • Do not misuse God's name (his reputation). (Ex 20:7, Lev 21:6a)

  • Jesus is the vine of eternal life. Live from that vine. (Jn 15, Rom 11)

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