Following Jesus, Discipleship, Bible
Doug Resler
Set Apart
Set Apart
Discipleship, Following Jesus, Bible
Doug Resler
Simple Things
Simple Things
Following Jesus, Discipleship, Bible
Doug Resler
Memory
Memory
Following Jesus, Discipleship, Bible
Doug Resler
Money
Money
Discipleship, Following Jesus, Bible
Doug Resler
Credit
Credit

Discipleship

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#IStand vs. #TakeAKnee

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#IStand vs. #TakeAKnee

As I watched my Facebook and Twitter feeds erupt over the weekend, I found myself grieving for our country. It seems so clear to me that our great adversary, Satan, continues to tighten his grip around our collective throats. The rage, hate, and vitriol is shocking.  The name-calling and character assassination is appalling.  We appear locked in perpetual adolescence, unable to see beyond our own emotions. In the midst of it all, I have found myself asking, "How would Jesus respond to this situation?" 

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Post-Election Spiritual Practices: Live Among

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Post-Election Spiritual Practices: Live Among

One of the biggest things I've learned is that the myth of a unified nation is really a white man's dream more than it is a black or brown man's experience.  It is a white male's dream more than it is an Latino or Asian woman's experience.  It is a heterosexual man's dream more than it is an LGBTQ experience. It is a Christian man's dream more than it is a Muslim man's experience.  And in the wake of the shattering of such national myths, I find myself crying out with the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah, "Is there no balm in Gilead?  No physician there? Why is there no healing for the wound of my people?" (Jeremiah 8:22)

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How to Vote as a Christian

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How to Vote as a Christian

There is a "moral vision" in the Bible that we can draw wisdom from as we vote on issues that affect us in the 21st century.  It will confront us.  Challenge us.  Force us to come to grips with the fact that we too often settle for what is most expedient rather than what is best for our nation in the long-term.  We too often settle for the "lesser of two evils" without acknowledging that the lesser of two evils is still evil.  We too often don't consider our own biases, prejudices, and privilege when we vote and that prevents us from walking a mile in another person's shoes.  Ultimately, we tend to vote for what is in our own best interest rather than the collective good.

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WE: Immersion

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WE: Immersion

The bar was packed as usual.  Beer was served in a five gallon pail.  Literally.  The food was greasy but good.  Music was loud.  Folks were playing cards, pool, and catching the end of the Brewers game.  Our team commandeered a table and we began catching up on the week.  Chris, our team leader, was telling us about the new law offices he was having remodeled.

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Practicing Hope - Daily Time with God

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Practicing Hope - Daily Time with God

I meet a lot of people in my line of work.  They come from all different places and walks of life.  They are all over the map spiritually.  And almost all of them have a hunger down deep for more of God.  They want to experience God.  They want to know God.  They believe on some level that life is incomplete without a relationship with God.

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Intergenerational Ministry

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Intergenerational Ministry

But here's the real truth. We can die on a lot of hills in the church. Most of which simply aren't worth it. This is one hill worth dying on. This is one battle worth fighting. Study after study shows that the most effective evangelism takes place when one generation reaches another with the good news of the gospel. When one generation makes it their aim, their goal, their passion to pass on the faith to the next generation. Parents to kids. Grandparents to grandkids. All so that, as one generation is "gathered to their fathers", there remains another generation to take their place.

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Purpose

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Purpose

God either gets it all or He gets nothing. He doesn't leave us the choice to accessorize our life with a little Jesus. As if I can live my life the way I choose and "season" it from time to time with some Jesus. Like He's there to give my life a little spiritual flavor. God is not some spice. Some condiment. Some add-on to life. He is the Life.

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Heart Check

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Heart Check

 

Today I go for my annual heart check.  I'll spend about a week on the treadmill.  Stress test.  EKG.  The whole work up.  My doctor will meet me in a place called Gojo in a country called Ethiopia which is literally on the other side of the world.  He won't be gentle...Why do I do this?  Because of something Jesus once said to me.  "I came not to be served but to serve and to give my life as a ransom for many."

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Truth vs. Lies

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Truth vs. Lies

 

We live in constant danger.  Bombarded by messages through mainstream and social media.  So much information is being thrown at us on a daily basis, it is hard to separate truth from lie.  Fantasy from reality.  So much of how we think about life or think about the people in our lives or even think about ourselves is shaped far more profoundly by our culture than by the truth God has revealed in the Bible.

Rise of the Nones

Rise of the Nones

 

I have to say I don't know any "nones."  I do know Maggie.  I know Steve.  I know Bonnie and Amanda. I know Simon and Keri.  I know Emily.  I know Ted and Amy.  I know Matthew and Michael.  I find them thoughtful, gracious, loving people who are trying their best to find their way in this world just like all of us.  If you asked them what they believe, they all might take a moment.  They honestly just don't give it much thought which doesn't mean they are "belief-less."