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Back to School Reflections

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I was driving on the way home from vacation in Ocean City, MD. I decided to stop by my alma mater St. Joseph's University. It was a whopping 12 years ago when I was a freshman in college, and I graduated in 2017. Here is what it looks like now. There are a lot of things that are different now. I did a lot of things I regret, and there are also things that changed my life. I am going to be honest here; I regret the times I drank a lot of alcohol. There were weekend days where I was hungover. There were weekends that were fun despite having no alcohol. There were times I struggled in classes. There were times I did well. It was a roller coaster!  The year that ultimately changed my life was the 2016-2017 school year. I remember getting a call from my parents on April Fool's Day, telling me that Uncle Mark passed away. That was heartbreaking, and I remember driving about three hours to go to the viewing and three hours back the next morning after the funeral.  For some reason I l...
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Christ's Once For All Sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-18)

"For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near" (Hebrews 10:1). The author of Hebrews, inspired by God, wrote that since the law has but a shadow (mere representation) of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect (complete, overcome an imperfect state) those who draw near.  "Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.  For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins " (Hebrews 10:2-4). The author questioned whether they would not have ceased to be offered since the worshippers, having once b...
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Jesus' Passion, Death, Resurrection Reflections 2025

1 Corinthians 15:1-8  "Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me." Reminder of Gospel Paul (inspired by God) wrote to the church at Corinth that he reminded them of the gospel he preached to them. They received the gospel, in which they stood. By this gospel they were being saved if they held fast...
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A Few Pastors/Preachers Mark and Avoid

Richard Roar Richard Rohr is progressive who undermines the concept of biblical inspiration and authority.  He stated, "The Jewish Scriptures, which are full of anecdotes of destiny, failure, sin, and grace, offer almost no self-evident philosophical or theological conclusions that are always true. We even have four, often conflicting versions of the life of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. There isn't one clear theology of God, Jesus, or history presented, despite our attempt to pretend that there is" (Childers). He also stated, "Just interpret the Scripture the way Jesus did! He ignores, denies, or openly opposes his own Scriptures wherever they are imperialistic, punitive, exclusionary, or tribal" (Childers).  He also denies the idea of penal substitutionary atonement, which is the heart of the gospel message. This states that Jesus died in our place as a substitute and that Jesus paid the penalty for our sin which we couldn't pay. It also states t...
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LGBTQ: Loving vs. Tolerating

I am sure many people have family members or acquaintances who are gay and/or involved with the LGBTQ community. There are events that have happened all over the country; they are even happening in small towns. The pride flags have been seen by many and are even in schools-even to kids in kindergarten!   However, as Christians, we ought to call out sin and oppose it in our lives and the lives of others. This is completely different than affirming sinful lifestyles and tolerating them. Not only is this tolerated nowadays, but it is also applauded and celebrated.  Paul wrote, "Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth" (1 Corinthians 13:4-6). Love... - is patient - is kind - does not envy - is not boastful - is not rude - is not self-seeking - is not irritable - does not keep recor...
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Seasonal Depression Encouragement

We are coming up on a time of year where people have seasonal depression. The weather is cold and at times dreary and the sun sets earlier and earlier. We go to work and by the time we get home, it is dark outside. This time of year can cause people to have draining thoughts that bring them down and discourage them. Therefore, I thought it would be ideal to give encouragement to those who are down this time of year.  The author of Hebrews wrote, "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16) . We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens-Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Therefore, ...
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Q: Did Jesus have Actual Brothers and Sisters within His Family? A: Yes!

"He went away from there and came to His hometown, and His disciples followed Him" (Mark 6:1 ESV). Jesus went to His hometown Nazareth and His disciples followed Him. "And on the Sabbath He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished, saying, 'Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to Him? How are such mighty works done by His hands?'" (Mark 6:2). Jesus taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Many who heard Him were astonished and questioned where He got these things, what's the wisdom given to Him, and how such mighty works were done by His hands. Then, they said He was a carpenter and mentioned His family members. "'Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?' And they took offense at Him" (Mark 6:3). They talked about Him being the carpenter, the son of Mary. A carpenter ( τέκτων)  was a builder...
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