Divine Purpose (Philippians 1)
In this pericope Paul speaks of his affirmed faith to the Philippians. While trials and difficulties may attempt to weaken our faith, Paul finds the opposite. The work of the gospel goes forward even in difficulty, and in that he finds joy and an affirmed faith in the purposes of God.
October 19, 2010
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11 min read
The Opening of Worship (Bible Study)
We are called into the presence of God. We are exhorted to come with joy, thanksgiving, music and song. We affirm that he is the "great God," our maker and our shepherd. We can expect to be welcomed into his presence because we are the "flock under his care." What a rich spirit in which to begin worship!
October 19, 2010
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8 min read
Grace and Peace (Philippians 1)
The body of Christ in this world, gathered by God and called saints, can be confident that grace and peace continually come to them through the same love that called them to be God’s children.
October 19, 2010
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9 min read
Collaboration in Worship Planning (Bible Study)
Ministry goes forward when faith-filled people work together collaboratively! Collaborators are co-laborers. They contribute from the field of their own gifts and passions. But they do not labor in isolation. Their labors are so interwoven that the final product is a composite. A group effort is genuinely the product of the entire group, not merely a modified solo plan"
October 19, 2010
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6 min read
The Pattern of a Worship Service (Bible Study)
We do not find that the Bible prescribes a specific liturgy for worship, we do find that our understanding of the Scriptures and the guidelines that it provides will be very helpful in discerning the pattern of worship and understanding the freedom for variation and flexibility in our worship life.
October 19, 2010
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5 min read
Good Reasons for Good Worship (Bible Study)
Before you come to the meeting, spend some time with these two chapters from Revelation. As you read these chapters, remind yourself that while John is an exile on the island of Patmos he receives this revelation from God. You are getting a view of the throne room of heaven.
October 19, 2010
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4 min read
Coop's Column - Glorify the Lord with Me
Modernity has a kind of airy weightlessness, a lack of seriousness and significance. So, when it comes to the matter of “setting their minds on things eternal”—that is, of paying any heed to the world beyond sight and sound—most contemporary people are pretty breezy and airy.
September 17, 2010
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3 min read
Coop's Column - A Heart-Stoppingly Grand Invitation
In his Word God declares that it is he, the Almighty Maker of heaven and earth, who welcomes his creatures into his presence and invites them to worship him.
August 30, 2010
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2 min read
Coop's Column - Jesus Yes-Church Yes!
In the Western hemisphere, especially in Europe and considerable sections of North America, vigorous contempt toward and sleepy disregard of the Christian church are widespread and increasing at an ever-accelerating rate.
August 23, 2010
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2 min read
Coop's Column - Simply Fellow Strugglers
My years as chaplain among college students have convinced me that many young people suffer from what I call the "immortality virus": "Death-accidents, illness, and weakness, too-can, and sometimes do, happen to others. But it won't -read: cannot- happen to me." Or so they foolishly imagine.
August 16, 2010
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2 min read
Coop's Column - God Everlasting!
Learning what it means to be human involves learning to locate one’s place in the grander scheme of things—to figure out where one “fits.”
August 2, 2010
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3 min read
Coop's Column - There I Have Pledged to Set My Foot, Too
"Being alive is very difficult. Human beings are very complicated. I know. I've spent my whole life being one, and I still can't totally figure it out." So commented one elderly gentleman as he looked back over the seemingly haphazard trajectory of his life's course of events.
July 26, 2010
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3 min read
