A Weekly Blog from Paul Sartarelli
Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD?” [Isaiah 40:27] On Sunday I took the words above to mean that the Jewish exiles were complaining that while they are miserably exiled in…
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Do not be conformed to this world. But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. [Romans 12:1] The well-known paraphrase of this by J.B. Phillips is quite poignant: “Don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.” That is a…
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“You are to labor six days, but you must rest on the seventh day; you must even rest during plowing and harvesting times.” [Exodus 34:21] Did you have a restful Memorial Day? It was quite nice to have no meetings or…
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As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” [John 9:1–2] This story and interaction between Jesus and his disciples is quite…
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Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [Colossians 3:23] This made me chuckle: “I used to be a people person, but people ruined it.” We’ve…
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“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” [Romans 8:31] If God is for us, who can be against us? Strong words from the Apostle Paul. We sing a…
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First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. [1…
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“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. [ Isaiah 40:1 ] There is a whole lot of discomfort going around these days. Certainly, on personal levels: the news of marital turmoil and bad health reports and the ache of loneliness…
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“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, just…
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Be still and know that I am God. [Psalm 46:10] Those are some words encouraging personal silence and solitude from the psalmist which I have written and taught on and practiced…sometimes. The traffic churning in one’s mind and the bloated personal…
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Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. [James 1:17] Written in the context of someone frustratingly blaming God…
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This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will…
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