Monthly Archives: January 2020

“My” Relationship… “Our” Relationship

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Don Merritt

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5 Each … Continue reading →

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Naomi’s Reaction

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Don Merritt

Ruth 2:18-22 After the events of Ruth 2:1-17, Ruth returns home with the grain she had obtained from her gleaning in the fields of Boaz. First, she gives the leftovers from her meal to Naomi to eat, and then Naomi, … Continue reading →

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Church as Relationship

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Don Merritt

Church began with relationship, the relationship between Jesus and His disciples. Each of the disciples knew Jesus; in fact they knew Him pretty well, at least in human terms. They spent three years together travelling, eating, talking, laughing, crying and … Continue reading →

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Working in the Fields

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Don Merritt

Ruth 2:1-17 Chapter 2 begins with a statement: Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz. (2:1) This verse seems to come out of left field; it interrupts the … Continue reading →

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The Body of Christ and How we “Do Church”

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Don Merritt

Is church a list of programs, or a set of traditions, ceremonies and pageantry? Does it really matter what style of music you have, or whether or not the preacher (by whatever name) wears robes, a suit or jeans? Is … Continue reading →

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Hardship and an Uncertain Future

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Don Merritt

Ruth 1:6-22 We pick up the story in the midst of calamity for Naomi and her two daughters in law. All of their husbands have died and they have no way to earn a living in Moab without them and … Continue reading →

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Church as an Institution

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Don Merritt

Note:  As I promised yesterday, we begin our look at Christ and religion today with a short series of posts from several years ago as an introduction. This is the first in that short series…   Since I am in … Continue reading →

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Ruth and Boaz, a Story for all Time

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Don Merritt

Are you ready for a little adventure? Good, so am I! The Old Testament book of Ruth is often used as a women’s Bible study, and I can see why when it shows the amazing faith of a young widow … Continue reading →

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Coming Up Next on TLP

Posted on January 6, 2020 by Don Merritt

We have finished 2019, and here on TLP we’ve completed our study of Matthew, so it’s time for all things to be more or less new here… My plan goes something like this: Since it’s been quite some time since … Continue reading →

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Here We Go…

Posted on January 6, 2020 by Don Merritt

It’s a brand new year; what will we do with it? The slate for this new year is clean.  Maybe I should switch metaphors right now and say the canvas is empty and ready to be painted-  what will we … Continue reading →

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