Category: Faith in the Struggle

The Tortilla Chip of Pain

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 While heading to a family reunion a few weeks ago, I stopped…
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I’ll Get to It Tomorrow

It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment . . . Hebrews 9:27 Thirtyish years ago, some summer friends taught me to play three chords on the guitar. I always wanted to learn more, so perhaps five years ago, my wife bought me a guitar for my birthday. I strummed…
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It’s Hard to Out-Exercise Your Fork

. . . The blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, will purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hebrews 9:14 I’ve often thought that if I simply exercised more, I could eat whatever I want and avoid weight gain. I don’t want to…
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Eight Years Sober

For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. Hebrews 8:12  My sin – oh the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the lord, praise the lord, oh my…
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My Ironman Tattoo

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 Years ago, I signed up for an ironman triathlon – a swim/bike/run race of over 140 miles. I’d previously done a couple of half-ironman races and I…
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When I Got Dumped

We who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul . . . Hebrews 6:18-19 Thirty-some years ago, like many teenagers, I got dumped. Rejection hurt and I was more than a little emotional…
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Retire Soon?

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 6:12 (NIV) When I first did some financial planning 20 years ago, as my career began, I was asked at what age I wanted to retire. I thought I wanted to retire…
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A Sobering Warning

For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. Hebrews 6:7-8 While…
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Graced to Death

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened . . . and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. Hebrews 6:4-6 We all like a comeback…
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The “I’m Sorry” Cycle

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works . . . Hebrews 6:1 Every time I used pills, I told myself it was the last time. With every pill, I felt genuine guilt and remorse, so, every time I…
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