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The View From Here
I’m not naturally a marketplace minister though I’ve had many marketplace experiences in outreach both personally and in groups. The reason I mention it is because I believe it’s what the Lord is asking of his Church, and as soon as possible. I’ve arrived at this conclusion recently, though the learning process has been at…
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Earthen Vessels
One of the earliest lessons taught to new believers is that our spirit is good, and our flesh is bad. “No good thing can come from our flesh.” It is certainly an important dynamic and worthy of serious discussion as demonstrated by its frequent mentions in Scripture, particularly in the New Testament. Rather than present…
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Not The Mouse
It was my first week on a new job in a new city in a new state. I’ve worked for dozens of companies in as many geographic locations, so being new wasn’t foreign to me, though it was mildly uncomfortable as it would be for anyone I suppose. It was early morning, and I was…
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The First Fifty
Nancy and I celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary November 16, 2024. Well, that’s not entirely true – we’ve been celebrating our marriage most of our fifty years together. That’s what marriage has been like. Moments of ecstatic joy, followed by the understanding that our marriage to one another is what made that possible. So many…
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Second Chances
Everybody loves them – second chances. Certainly, everybody needs them, or will need them, sooner or later. Fortunately, the Lord is the God of second chances, and He has provided second, third, and even fourth chances for many of us. It seemed like President Trump fought like a roman gladiator for his second chance at…
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Power, Perspective, Precision
Not long ago I wrote a piece called “Learn from Learners” in which I discussed how our recognition of Jesus in another individual opens an ongoing opportunity for us to receive spiritual gifts, wisdom, knowledge, blessings, and other things from Jesus that are carried within that person. Discerning the humanity of another; their sin, their…
What’s the point?…
Three days before my thirtieth birthday I was injured while surfing fairly large waves (18′) at my home town of Manhattan Beach, CA. I had received twenty some odd stitches to the right side of my head next to my eye. While nursing my swollen, painful wound with a bottle of whiskey, a voice spoke to me out of thin air. After a short discussion, the voice told me to read my Bible, which I did. That is, once I’d gotten over thinking that I’d lost my mind, and discovered that I’d actually owned a Bible. My encounter with that Voice set me on an amazing journey of discovery which continues to this day. There are many others traveling the ancient paths, and there is much to learn with every step.
Along the way I discovered markers and pointers left by those who preceded me to save me and future followers time and to maximize our experience. The specifics of their journeys were personal and therefore unique, but the principles they learned and shared along the way were universal and thus applicable to all travelers for all time. I thought to add my own observations to theirs for the benefit of those who may follow after you and I.
Cherish each day knowing that your Heavenly Father is preparing you to dwell with Him forever. He cannot fail. Plus, He will cause all things to work together for your good. All things.
Look up for your redemption draws nearer with each step.
Stuart Gurnea
Follower of Jesus