We sat around the tables, Bibles open to Romans 8. I usually dread classes on this book because it so often comes across harsh and heavy-handed. But this chapter, soaking up the reassurances of God’s love and His promise to co-opt the bad that happens and bring good out of it. We read verses 31-33.…

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Have you ever tried to explain Holy Communion to a child? The church we attended this week served the Lord’s Supper, or the sacrament of communion, in their service. I’ve always found the Baptist observance somewhat unsatisfying, like being served a dainty appetizer when you’re starving. They ascribe little to no power in the partaking…

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As we settled into our seats with iced tea and dessert, I told her I was turning over a new leaf. I wasn’t going to be a troublemaker. I was going to fly under the radar and not speak up. She laughed, just like Scott had when I told him. They knew me too well.…

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I’d seen it there before, tucked into the front right corner. No spotlight, no decorative purple drape, no wreath of thorns. Just wood beams on a rolling platform. But this morning, from the 2nd row piano side, it seemed to loom at me, a stark foreboding reminder of torture and death. Like having a gallows…

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Amy wrote me a week ago to ask if I would be interested in a guest post about how to handle friends leaving your church. She has such wisdom and encouragement to offer that I jumped at the chance to feature her writing here today. Amy is a wife, mom, writer, photographer, and artist, but…

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It was bound to happen. We visited the church of a close friend, and now I have to write a blog post. If I write that we loved it, will it be sincere? What if we decide not to make it our church home later? What if I write that we didn’t like it –…

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