Monthly Archives: October 2018

Practicing the Better: Our Marching Orders

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Steve Harper

​It would be beneficial to continue to describe the practice of the better from the close of the New Testament until now.  Known and unknown women and men have practiced the better in every generation. We can learn much from … Continue reading →

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Editorial: A Leader’s Influence

Posted on October 30, 2018 by Steve Harper

​The most unbelievable allegation made by Donald Trump in the wake of the documented escalation of violence in our country since he took office is that his words and example have had nothing to do with it.  Pointing away from … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: Living by the Biggest Story

Posted on October 29, 2018 by Steve Harper

​A meditation written in the aftermath of a week in which degrading words and deeds were leveled against transgender persons and other LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, refugees, and others–with additional hatefulness expressed through pipe bombs sent to selected political leaders…and…through the … Continue reading →

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Shepherd’s Care: Becoming Unnecessary

Posted on October 26, 2018 by Steve Harper

The title still stops me in my tracks: ‘The Unnecessary Pastor.’ [1]  It still cuts against the grain of my ego despite my agreement with the focus of the book and its effort to get us clergy off center stage, … Continue reading →

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Editorial: Human Sexuality–A Panoramic View

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Steve Harper

I have been developing the following article for months. It is still a work in progress, but I offer it today in relation to the current administration’s potentially defining human sexuality using the inaccurate view of birth manifestation gender–a possibility … Continue reading →

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Practicing the Better: Beyond Jesus

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Steve Harper

​Light, life, and love continued to be expressed in the first Christians.  The main evidence for their practice of the better was the inclusion of the Gentiles (Acts 15) and the sense of oneness that characterized their life together (Galatians … Continue reading →

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Shepherd’s Care: Small Churches?

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Steve Harper

​While in college and seminary, I pastored several small churches.  And after graduating from seminary, I was appointed to serve another one.  Like other small-church pastors, I was tempted to buy into the “bigger is better” view, but I am … Continue reading →

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Practicing the Better: Jesus–Instruction, #2

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Steve Harper

​The Kingdom of God was Jesus’ curriculum for practicing the better. [1]  Every word and act of Jesus was a revelation of some aspect of that Kingdom.  We can see this in the light, life, and love which came through … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: Contemplation–Perspective & Power

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Steve Harper

​Previously (September 10, 2018), I wrote a blog entitled, “Contemplation: Essence and Vision.” My purpose was to liberate contemplation from a limited definition of its being a spiritual practice, releasing it into the broader notion of it being an overarching … Continue reading →

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Shepherd’s Care: From Impact to Investment

Posted on October 12, 2018 by Steve Harper

​Last week, we looked at what Eugene Peterson calls “the pastor’s question.”  It is the question that moves clergy from impact to investment.  It is a question churches can also ask to move themselves the same way.  Re-worded for the … Continue reading →

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Practicing the Better: Jesus–Instruction

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Steve Harper

​Just as there is too much in Jesus’ incarnation for us to explore in this series, the same holds true for his instruction.  Light, life, and love run through the length and breadth of Jesus’ teaching. It all comes together … Continue reading →

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Editorial: Willful Ignorance

Posted on October 9, 2018 by Steve Harper

​The United Nations report on climate change came out a few days ago, drawing on scientific evidence from more than thirty countries to say (once again) that the problem is real, and if it is not addressed, we are in … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: Acedia

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Steve Harper

Today, I am writing a “note to self.”  You are welcome to read it.  And as they say, ” If the shoe fits…..  _______________________________ Christianity was barely off the ground when soul-drain began to take its effect.  Paul called it … Continue reading →

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Shepherd’s Care: The Pastor’s Question

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Steve Harper

​I have benefited from the insights of Eugene Peterson in many ways, but none more than from what he calls “the pastor’s question.”  He wrote the book, ‘The Contemplative Pastor’ to explore the question in detail, but here is the question … Continue reading →

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Practicing the Better: Jesus–Incarnation, #2

Posted on October 3, 2018 by Steve Harper

​Jesus came to show us how God intends for us to live in the world.  Far from eliminating or minimizing any other reason we might give for the incarnation, this one gathers, organizes, and unites the rest.  As John put … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: Where Life Hinges

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Steve Harper

The future of life as we believe God intends it to be hinges on the extent to which we live into the truth of the two great commandments, loving God and loving others.  But often, we do not take into … Continue reading →

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