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Blog

Jesus and Morality

The topic of morality is very relevant for us now. We live in a world that has much debate on what is right and wrong. In the past, many cultures debated whether some action was moral or immoral, but there has always been a consensus view usually. But what we have today is a unique situation in history–where there is not much of a moral code that is ultimate.  

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Dr. John Gerlach
Two Testaments; One God

In our world today, as it has been for centuries, the Bible is fiercely opposed by nonbelievers, and even believers sometimes question its legitimacy or value. A common phrase or belief that is brought up in these skeptical conversations is that God is inconsistent in character across the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

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Shawn Williams
Above Yourselves

We live in a world full of messages that teach us to exalt ourselves - to lift ourselves higher and higher by our jobs, statuses, relationships, and finances. Helping others isn’t exactly looked down on, but it definitely comes second to lifting yourself up.

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Shawn Williams
Don't be Overcome by Evil

God has great wisdom available for us in our relationships.  And we need that wisdom because we all have the opportunity every day to allow the seeds of what could become evil in our lives to take root.  So, we need to know and be on God’s path when it comes to our relationships.

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Dr. John Gerlach
Loving Your Enemies

You can’t make it in life without the right relationships. Relationships will make or break your life. You need wisdom and direction on what to do when relationships break down, and how to cultivate and grow relationships.

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Dr. John Gerlach
Loving Your Friends

You can’t make it in life without the right relationships. Relationships will make or break your life. You need wisdom and direction on what to do when relationships break down, and how to cultivate and grow relationships. 

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Dr. John Gerlach
Relationships Matter

You can’t make it in life without the right relationships. Relationships will make or break your life. You need wisdom and direction on what to do when relationships break down, and how to cultivate and grow relationships. 

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Dr. John Gerlach
Two Myths that Block Generosity

In Matthew 6:21, Jesus tells us that our treasure leads our heart. Whatever I choose to treasure will reveal the truest things about me. Along the journey to generosity, I had to face two myths that kept generosity from flowing from my life.  

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Dr. John Gerlach
Generosity: Sent Out of Yourself

The greatest are those who serve the most. We don’t serve so God will love us, but because He has already loved us. We don’t serve so God would be pleased with us, but because in Christ He already is. And that frees us to love and serve people by the grace of God. 

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Dr. John Gerlach
Dutiful Forgiveness

Forgiving someone that has hurt us isn’t some spiritual side quest that we can do for extra credit. It is a requirement of following Jesus. To understand just how much we’ve been forgiven removes any ammunition we may think we have to not forgive someone who has grieved us.

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Shawn Williams
The Real Power of Generosity

But when he met Jesus, everything changed — not only his heart, but his hands. The same fingers that once reached to extort as much money as possible, now extended with generosity to the poor, and to pay back fourfold anyone he’d ripped off.

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Dr. John Gerlach
Comeback Story

Failure is a spiritual opportunity. To give up or to grow up.  If you choose to grow up you will be prepared for what God has for you.  Abraham Lincoln had a lot of failure in his life before being President. Many historians believe he was able to have the character to do what had to be done in the Civil War because of the faith he had developed over the course of his failure.

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Dr. John Gerlach
Being a Perfect Parent

I remember a time in church where I asked all the parents to participate in a pop quiz and raise their hands if they were guilty of any of these categories. I asked: How many of you are guilty of losing your temper and yelling at kids in public?

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Dr. John Gerlach
The Comparison Game

Jesus is right in front of the disciples, and they’re focused on themselves and each other. They have immediate access to the source of all joy and wisdom and instead they’re bickering amongst themselves. But we do this too. 

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Dr. John Gerlach
Powerful Gentleness

Gentleness is one of the Fruit of the Spirit that we need most in our world today. In an atmosphere of harshness, anger, and frustration, gentleness stands out. 

All of the Fruit of the Spirit are connected to each other. Gentleness is connected to love and kindness. When we are led by the Spirit, we are embracing all of the attributes of the Spirit in a united way.  

Jesus modeled gentleness for us. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

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Dr. John Gerlach
Commit to Faithfulness

I think one of the characteristics I value the most is faithfulness. Faithfulness–The consistency that someone shows in what they say and do. Faithfulness is this determined direction in life though not done perfectly, is consistent. Faithfulness is when God helps us lead ourselves on God’s path.  

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Dr. John Gerlach
The Goodness of God

In the fruit of the Spirit, I think “goodness” is the one that is misunderstood the most. So often in this world, I hear people say, “I’m a good person,” or, “She was a good person,” or, “What if they’re a good person?” But what they really mean is, “I don’t do many obvious bad things.”

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Shawn Williams
Imitating Jesus' Kindness

Have you ever known someone who did a pretty good celebrity impression? One that I hear a lot is Christopher Walken, specifically from the SNL sketch “More Cowbell.” What makes a good impression? Well, getting the words right, getting the mannerisms right, the accent, the pauses, the inflections, the facial expressions - all these things play a part.

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Shawn Williams