Ordinary Grace Blog
The Latest Posts
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No Time For Words
“…not knowing what he said.” Luke 9:33 Forty years ago, I took a group of senior high youth on a week-long trip to New York City. The teenagers were from a small town in Virginia, so that journey held the promise of all kinds of new experiences. It turned out to be that sort of
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After the Deception
“And now we are in your hand: do as it seems good and right in your sight to do to us.” Joshua 9:25 Long ago when Moses spelled out the norms of warfare for God’s people he distinguished between the native peoples of Canaan and those who lived far away. For the former, the Israelites
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There Goes the Neighborhood
“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them.” Revelation 21:3a The Biblical verse above comes from a passage when John tells of seeing a “new heaven and a new earth.” Those words from Revelation are often read at funerals for in such times we need to be reminded of a
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Lessons From a Carwash
“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22 Like much of the country, my home region has already had significant winter weather. I have lived in Pennsylvania for nearly 25 years, but the snow we had a couple of weeks ago is
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Avoiding Shame, Doing Good
“even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he asks.” –Luke 11:8 The verse above comes from one of Jesus’ most intriguing parables. “Suppose one of you has a friend,” he begins, “and
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The Bonds of Unity
“making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3 The audience for the verse we just read was a first century church in Ephesus. That community was an important city in that day, located at the intersection of major trade routes. It also boasted a pagan temple
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A Choice For Humility
“For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” –Luke 14:7 A former pastorate of mine offered transportation from and to a nearby retirement community each Sunday morning. The congregation had purchased a 21-passenger bus primarily for youth activities, but soon expanded its use. Given the bus size,
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We Laugh and God Acts
“The LORD said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh?’ Is anything too wonderful for the LORD?’’ –Genesis 18:13a, 14a Eleven years ago, I had the privilege of officiating at the wedding of a couple named Linda and Lee. Both were active in the local community and the bride a long-time member of the congregation. As
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Bad Jokes and Bold Promises
“Peter said, ‘Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.’” –Matthew 26:33 As a child, I loved to hear stories about things my mother did as a little girl. By all accounts, she kept my grandparents on their toes. For example, at a young age she once walked by herself to
