The chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Matthew 21:23 I’ve often been frustrated by my slow wit when it comes to sarcasm, put-downs, and the game of one-upmanship. I’m just…
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Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers . . . Matthew 21:12 I once listened to another Christian angrily vent about how someone had offended him. His story made it sound like his frustration was justified, but his tone and…
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The crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Matthew 21:9 I’ve been thinking a lot lately about chemical dependency treatment and how it works. Since going to inpatient treatment myself, it’s always amazed me…
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Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. Matthew 20:34 The first chemical dependency counselor I met explained to me that I had a disastrous life problem, but he also explained that it was treatable. He told me that if I followed the path laid out for me –…
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Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave. Matthew 20:26-27 In my first half-hearted attempt at recovery, if I wanted to keep my career, I had to go AA meetings, which I just didn’t feel were very helpful. I shared this with…
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These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat. Matthew 20:12 I’m a pastor’s kid, so when I was young, I went to church twice on Sunday and again on Wednesday. I didn’t swear, smoke, or drink alcohol so,…
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Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. Many who are first will be last, and the last first. Matthew 19:29-30 The gym is always a good place to get a clear view…
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“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God . . . With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:24-26 As I was preparing to leave chemical dependency treatment a few years ago, I…
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Sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Matthew 19:21 Yesterday, I addressed pornography, which probably motivated some to share the blog with their spouses. You need to read this! It’s always easy to see another’s struggle. The truth is though, we’ve all got some struggle.…
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There are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:12 Most drug addicts, once they clean up, find they have other addictions. One of the more common ones, involves sex, lust, and pornography. Some don’t find this problematic because that’s just what guys do. Others though, have brought…
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