Tag: christian
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My People: Lessons from Ruth (Part 1 – Introduction)
I’m excited to dive into another incredible story from the Bible with a new series, “My People: Lessons from Ruth”. Ruth is a wonderfully simple story that takes place during the period of Israel’s judges. If you’ve read through the book of Judges, you might have noticed that Ruth is a refreshing reprieve from the […]
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The Divine Pursuit: Seeking Love and Holiness in the Song of Songs (Part 11)
Love Awakened (Song 8) The conclusion of the poetic saga that is Song of Songs calls the reader back to several key themes introduced previously in the poem: Frustrated Longing (8:1-4) – Throughout the Song, the young woman has expressed a deep desire to be united with her beloved, and at the same time frustration […]
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[New Podcast Episode!] Death, Tragedy, and God’s Presence: An Interview with Dan Bellinger
In our June episode, we interview hospital chaplain Dan Bellinger to discuss how people of faith can apply Jesus’ resurrection hope to their own experiences with death and tragedy, and how great comfort can be found – not necessarily in a God who helps us avoid pain and suffering – but a God walks with […]
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Study Guide: The Escape (Matthew 2:13-23)
Hosea 11:1-12 Hosea 11 is one of many Old Testament passages where God laments through his prophet over the numerous ways Israel sinned and turned away from their calling as God’s people. Jeremiah 31:15 Jeremiah’s prophecy was written just before King Nebuchadnezzar conquered the city of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Jeremiah spoke of a coming […]
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Student Ministry’s (Unnecessary) War Against Youth Sports
Sports have always been an enormous part of my life. When I look back on the fond memories I had when I was a kid, my mind almost always jumps to the cool fall Saturday mornings at Four Seasons Park in Plainfield, Illinois. I played football and my sister was a cheerleader. My games usually […]
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Study Guide: The Prophecies of Zechariah. Chapter 1.
A Call to Renewal (Zechariah 1:1-6) As Israel continues to pick up the scattered pieces of their homeland, God speaks through his prophet Zechariah and invites the nation to renew their covenant vows to him. He makes it clear that the exile was a direct result of the sins of their ancestors, but the return […]
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The Divine Pursuit: Seeking Love and Holiness in the Song of Songs
Part 3: Love is Lovely (Song 1:1-17) View part 2 here. Structure The first section of the Song of Songs establishes a “He-She-Chorus” structure which frames the narrative of the story from three different points of view: those of a woman, a man, and a chorus of observers. The man and the woman express their […]