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Two Shepherds, One Flock: What Your Pastor Can Give and What Only Christ Can Fulfill
The word shepherd conveys a mental image of a man with a rod standing watch over a vast field carefully tending his sheep. In the Christian world, a shepherd conveys the image of Christ and passages such as John 10. In our daily context, this word may even bring up a mental image of our local church pastor or our spiritual leaders. This meaningful word is charged with meaning—theological, spiritual and practical. But have we mistakenly placed expectations on our human leaders that can only be upheld by Christ as the Good Shepherd? What is it reasonable to expect from our church leaders and what needs can only be met…
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When Disappointment Hits: God Restoring and Reviving Our Soul
I recently heard someone say that the two main things that take people out the most in life and ministry are bitterness and not dealing well with disappointment. What is it about disappointment that makes it such an essential thing to deal with? The way you deal with it will either bring you closer to God or it will pull you away. And here’s the thing, if you let it pull you away from him, then you’re drifting away from the source of healing for your pain and your disappointment. Other solutions will only become quick fixes in an attempt to deal with the very real bitterness festering inside against…
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Biblical Archaeology: Three Keys for Deep Bible Study
Hello again friend and welcome to The Grapevine. Last week I gave some tips for those just beginning their Bible reading journey. Today, I wanted to go to the opposite side of the spectrum and share some tips for deep dive, nitty gritty Bible study. But don’t worry! And don’t rush to leave just yet. If you’re a complete beginner in your Bible reading journey, these tips can be incredibly beneficial to you as well. So, whether you’re an experienced Bible archeologist or just starting to scout out the land, grab your Bible and let’s go on a dig into the awesome treasure trove of the Word of God. Key…
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Opening the Word: A Friendly Guide to Starting Your Bible Reading Adventure
Welcome reader and happy April! This month, I’ve decided to delve into one of my favorite topics: the Bible! If this does not excite, do not worry. My goal is to help you find a new love and passion for reading and studying the Bible. I will be sharing some helpful tips to begin reading the Bible, fall in love with it again, and understand it better. Today, let’s dive into basics and talk about how to begin reading the Bible. If you’ve been reading the Bible for a long time, don’t worry! It’s always good to dust off some cobwebs and refresh our minds a bit. Remember the Purpose…
