Monthly Archives: July 2018

My Dear Children

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Don Merritt

 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for … Continue reading →

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Photo of the Week: July 25, 2018

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Don Merritt
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Mars and the Way we “do” Church

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Don Merritt

We are at the point where our hypothetical first church on Mars, and our metaphorical naked before God intersect. This meeting place is found when we must ask ourselves what role personal preferences should play in community, specifically in the … Continue reading →

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Come Into the Light

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Don Merritt

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not … Continue reading →

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Naked Before God: On Mars

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Don Merritt

I have enjoyed our journey together so far, beginning with our hypothetical “first church” on Mars, and then looking at our individual relationships with God through the lens of a metaphor, that of being naked before Him. We have now … Continue reading →

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The Word of Life

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Don Merritt

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify … Continue reading →

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TLP Living: July 23, 2018

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Don Merritt

There are times in this life… … when things don’t go exactly as planned. I’ve been on an unscheduled hiatus from blogging for the past few days; sorry about that. It was one of those really irritating periods when I … Continue reading →

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TLP Inspiration: July 23, 2018

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Don Merritt

Misty Mornings There’s something about a misty morning that grabs the imagination, don’t you agree?  The day is stretched out ahead of you, but it’s hard to see exactly where it will lead; will it be a good one, or … Continue reading →

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Sunday Sermon Notes: July 22, 2018

Posted on July 22, 2018 by Don Merritt

Title: Very Strange Text: Mark 3:20-35 Parallel Texts: Matthew 12:22-37, 46-50; Luke 11:14-23; 8:19-21 After Jesus appoints the Twelve, things start to become strange; something isn’t quite right in this story. Jesus and the disciples are in a house, and … Continue reading →

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Naked Before God: “But I’ve been hurt by church!”

Posted on July 20, 2018 by Don Merritt

It wouldn’t be an easy thing to do; to be “naked before God in community” if we’ve been hurt by church in some way. Sadly, such damage is more common then many would like to think about. An unpleasant scene, … Continue reading →

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