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Archives for January, 2017

Profile photo of Bobby Valentine

The Most Unpopular Teaching in the Bible

30 January, 2017   
Published by Bobby Valentine in 137 - 25th anniversary

What do you suppose…

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These Treacherous Times

30 January, 2017   
Published by Heather Holland Helton in 137 - 25th anniversary

This is a very difficult topic to write about, particularly in this polarized, contemptuous climate in our country. But I do feel compelled and called to address this as it’s happening in real time, and needs attention by those of us claiming Christianity as our way of life.

I have cried so much these past few weeks. I have been involved in more arguments and misunderstandings via…

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2017, Rom 15:4-13 & A Plea for Unity (part 4): Welcome Each Other!

25 January, 2017   
Published by Jason Locke in 137 - 25th anniversary

In the 1980s the Black Student Association at Fresno State displayed this slogan, “We have a SIN problem, not a SKIN problem.” It’s a true statement that sounds overly simplistic. Skin problems are still here because sin is still here. Some briefly thought we might be living in a post-racial world. We now realize that sin hasn’t gone away—and with it tensions about race have resurfaced with a vengeance. We live in…

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The Art of Empathy

24 January, 2017   
Published by Heather Holland Helton in 137 - 25th anniversary

I’ve become heart-weary over the angst and seemingly non-stop feuding on social media over political matters.

Admittedly, I too have posted things, some in jest with silly emojis, some from my soul’s take on the current climate. Somehow someway, and I do not claim to be the bearer of answers, we must get back to civility and the art of empathy.

In the halls at Divinity…

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What is a Strong Woman?

23 January, 2017   
Published by Paula Harrington in 137 - 25th anniversary, Uncategorized

A strong woman feeds the hungry, gives to the needy, and visits the sick and imprisoned even when it’s unpopular and uncomfortable.

She accepts her body, her age, and her shortcomings with dignity and gives herself permission not to be perfect.

She speaks, tweets, texts, and posts words of grace from her pulpits and playgrounds knowing that words matter and people are listening.

She…

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The Wheels On The Bus

19 January, 2017   
Published by Les Ferguson, Jr. in 137 - 25th anniversary

My Cole was quite the funny guy.  He loved sports of every variety and could carry on a conversation about it.  But, his mental disabilities made him a contradiction in terms (aren’t we all?).

To the day he died, he absolutely loved Barney the purple dinosaur.

He was always up for one of the silly movies about the golden retrievers–you may remember…

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A Resolution Worth Keeping

14 January, 2017   
Published by Jeremy Houck in 105 - Being Church, 137 - 25th anniversary

When I turned 40 I decided; in order to keep up with my sons I had to get into better shape. So I did what you were supposed to do, I joined a gym, got an app for my phone, bought some shoes, and buckled down for this life changing experience. The first time I walked in the gym, I was…

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2017, Rom 15:4-13 & A Plea for Unity (part 3): Paul’s Fictional Turmoil

12 January, 2017   
Published by Jason Locke in 137 - 25th anniversary

If the Book of Romans is Paul’s most important letter, then we ought to hone in on passages such as Rom 15:4-13. These ten verses summarize the entire message of book: The good news is that ALL are God’s chosen people—both Jews and Gentiles. Glory be to God!

Paul’s universalist-sounding message brings up a key question. If we are all fellow recipients of God’s promises, then how well are we to…

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Healing from Our Achilles Tendency

6 January, 2017   
Published by Craig Cottongim in 101 - Embracing Biblical Restoration, 105 - Being Church, 111 - Jesus' Plans for Churches of Christ, 115 - Navigating Change in Churches of Christ, 122 - Judgment-Free Disagreements, Restoration Movement, Uncategorized

What I’ve loved about Wineskins for over two decades now, is its safe environment to exchange our new ideas, or to even stretch our comfort zone.  I would like to utilize this format now to raise an issue none of us really want to face head-on, yet this common struggle is decimating us.

Take a deep breath, and let’s be brave together.  If there’s one great weakness we’ve mutually experienced…

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2017, Rom 15:4-13 & A Plea for Unity (part 2): The Divider-in-Chief

5 January, 2017   
Published by Jason Locke in 137 - 25th anniversary

Does religion divide people? Is it race, socioeconomic status or politics that separates us? Is our world and are the churches that inhabit that world hopelessly divided by things that we are helpless to control?

As a Jew trained by the prominent Jewish teacher Gamaliel, Paul had learned that what divided people was religion. Jews had the Law and were therefore superior. Gentiles did not have the Law and were…

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