pastorhogg

[pastorhogg]

How to Ruin Your Ministry

A young minister sent me an e-mail with a request. “I’ve been going through some leadership coaching,” he wrote, “and one question my coach asked me was, ‘What are some trust builders and breakers for you?’” My friend wondered how I would answer that question.    TRUST BREAKERS   I wrote back, and my list of trust breakers included:   Lying or being two-faced. Any form of dishonesty weakens…

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[pastorhogg]

As the Day Begins

Matthew 14:34-36 (NIV): When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. Morning Meditation: As the dawn breaks, let us contemplate the serene shores of…

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[pastorhogg]

As the Day Ends

An Evening Reflection Inspired by John 6:15-21 As you settle into this evening’s reflection, consider the waters of the Sea of Galilee, dark and tumultuous, as described in John 6:15-21. Imagine the disciples, their boat buffeted by the winds, alone and afraid in the overwhelming darkness. Suddenly, into their midst comes Jesus, walking on water, serene and untroubled by the chaos. This image,…

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[pastorhogg]

Better Than You Can Imagine

I ran across these thoughts that Nanci wrote, and we shared on her Caring Bridge page several years ago: “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for Yahweh; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for Yahweh!” (Psalm 27:13-14). To “look upon the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living” does not mean all of us will live as long as…

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[pastorhogg]

Taylor Swift Can Do Whatever She Wants

Taylor Swift answers to no one. Not music industry executives: Her songs returned to TikTok in the middle of a licensing dispute between the app and her label. Not mayors: When she graced their cities during her Eras tour, they declared days in her honor. Not the international community: A Singapore-exclusive stop in Southeast Asia sparked a row between the city-state and nearby Thailand and…

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[pastorhogg]

Jesus On Sin

There are various texts within the Gospels where our Lord highlights man’s inner and outer depravity. Perhaps the clearest example is recorded in Mark 7:15–16, 18–23, where he taught: “There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. . . . Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot…

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[pastorhogg]

Out of the Text of John 6:15-21

Walking On Water John 6:15-21 not only narrates a miraculous event but also encapsulates themes of divine authority, trust in God, and the transcendence of Jesus over natural and human constraints. These themes reverberate through the tapestry of the Bible, creating a rich dialogue between this passage and the broader scriptural narrative. In the Old Testament, the theme of God’s sovereignty…

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[pastorhogg]

Into the Text of John 6:15-21

The Gospel of John, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, is believed to have been written between AD 90 and 110. This period was marked by significant religious and political tension within the Roman Empire, particularly for the burgeoning Christian community. Jews had recently faced the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in AD 70, which not only devastated Jewish religious life but…

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[pastorhogg]

Conviction, Not Candy

Let me state up front that I’m quite aware of my own shortcomings as a pastor. We all struggle with something, but do we humble ourselves, repent, and return to the “power of the Spirit,” or do we continue to quench and grieve the Spirit? The difference is life-changing! Offering Candy When We Need Conviction Please consider sharing this with the pastors and Christian leaders you know. Even…

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[pastorhogg]

Our Teens In a Sexualized Culture

“I know where babies come from!” Those were the words my eight-year-old son blurted out in the midst of a conversational lull during a family dinner back in 1994. Before asking him what he had learned on the topic, I awkwardly swallowed my mouthful of food and asked him about where he had received his information. With genuine enthusiasm, he answered, “Donnie told me. . . on the…

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[pastorhogg]

As the Day Begins

 John 6:15-21 (NIV): Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four…

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[pastorhogg]

As the Day Ends

An Evening Reflection Inspired by Luke 9:10-17 As the day draws to a close and the world around us settles into the quiet embrace of night, let us take a moment to reflect on the profound truths found within the narrative of Luke 9:10-17. In this passage, we witness Jesus’ compassionate response to the physical hunger of the multitude, as He miraculously provides an abundance of food with just a…

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[pastorhogg]

Don't Be So Ignorant

Ignorance is the lack of knowledge or understanding. Ignorant people are either unaware or uninformed. Sometimes we are ignorant because we did not know there was a need to learn something. Other times, we are ignorant because we have chosen not to learn something we need to know. In Hosea 4:6, the Lord says, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I…

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[pastorhogg]

It's That Simple

These are crazy times. How does one retain sanity in these tumultuous days? Read the world’s bestseller — and read it often — and it will give a great deal of comfort. Indeed, many of our great American leaders have found comfort and solace in the Word of God. Change Your Life Want to change your life? Here’s a simple practice, which I have engaged in fastidiously for the last four years or so.…

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[pastorhogg]

Out of the Text of Luke 9:10-17

Biblical Reflections: Luke 9:10-17, the account of Jesus feeding the multitude, resonates deeply with broader biblical themes of God’s provision, compassion, and the invitation to participate in His redemptive work. Throughout the Old Testament, we encounter instances where God miraculously provides for His people in times of need. For example, in the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath (1…

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[pastorhogg]

Exploring Luke 9:10-17

In order to fully grasp the significance of Luke 9:10-17, it’s imperative to delve into its historical context. This passage is situated within the broader narrative of Jesus’ ministry, occurring during a period of intense political and social upheaval in ancient Palestine. At the time, the region was under Roman occupation, and the Jewish people were longing for liberation and the restoration of…

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[pastorhogg]

A Mother's Call to Worship

When we feel that our environment must be “just so” in order to have fellowship with God, any wild-card elements inherit the name “Interruption.” A toddler’s plea for help with a game is an interruption. The children’s early bedtime is an interruption. The baby who refuses to settle down is an interruption. What if God wants to fellowship with us right where we are—even in the commotion of…

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