How's Your "ELPO"?
Fifty-three times in the New Testament, the Greek word 'Elpo' or one of its derivatives is used. It translates into English as 'Hope.'...
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Al Downey
- Jul 18
- 5 min
The Indestructible Word Of God
In 1997, I taught some classes in our Bible School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The College was in its infancy, and the written resources...
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Al Downey
- Jul 11
- 5 min
The Shepherd's Heart Can Be The Pastors Greatest Weakness
The word 'Pastor' is derived from the idea of 'shepherding.' A worthy shepherd understands that the role involves leading, feeding and...
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Al Downey
- Jul 4
- 3 min
And Then There Was Summer
My snow shovels are hanging along the wall of the shed, forgotten for the moment. The rain we prayed for has fallen over much of the...
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Al Downey
- Jun 28
- 5 min
Only The Lonely
In 1960, Roy Orbison marketed the hit recording entitled 'Only the Lonely.' It began with the words, "Only the lonely know the way I...
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Al Downey
- May 2, 2022
- 9 min
10 LOVING WAYS TO EXERCISE STEWARDSHIP OVER OUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH
I sat across from a pastor who had come through a very traumatic experience, a deep depression, and a sense of ‘aloneness.’ He had...
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Al Downey
- Apr 25, 2022
- 6 min
Why Church?
I am done with Church.” We hear that a lot these days. In fact, the trend is so prevalent that we have labelled this growing group of...
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Merrie Eizenga
- Apr 18, 2022
- 4 min
Dealing With Discouragement
We are now more than two years into a global pandemic. To say that vocational leaders are tired and discouraged would be a colossal...
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Al Downey
- Apr 11, 2022
- 3 min
A Theology of Lonely Places
We have allowed our world to be filled with noise. Around us, there is a steady, constant cacophony of the whine and whir of life in the...
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Al Downey
- Apr 4, 2022
- 5 min
Good Grief
'I just received news this afternoon of the death of another friend to COVID.’ I have lost several colleagues and friends in these last...
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Murray Swalm
- Mar 28, 2022
- 3 min
Companions for the Journey
My wife Lorrie and I like to travel a lot by car. If we are traveling someplace new, I drive, and she navigates. Because she isn’t...
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Marshall Eizenga
- Mar 21, 2022
- 2 min
Happiness! Is it a pipe dream?
What would it take to make you happy? I mean really, really, really happy? As in, “I’ve never been happier in my life!” It is likely your...
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Al Downey
- Mar 14, 2022
- 6 min
Gaining Victory Over Ruminating Thoughts.
Have you ever had a tune stuck in your mind and you simply can’t dislodge it? I woke up one morning with the theme song of the 1960’s TV...
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Al Downey
- Mar 14, 2022
- 5 min
‘Torque Tolerance’ and ‘Stress Fractures’ – Real Issues in Ministerial Leadership
I tightened the lug nut just a bit beyond its torque tolerance level. There was the clear, distinct sound of a snap and my project lay...
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Darrel Muth
- Mar 7, 2022
- 3 min
Following God Into The Desert
"It is easier to be spiritual in the garden than in the Desert. It is hard to maintain hope when God goes into hiding. Mature disciples...
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Merrie Eizenga
- Feb 28, 2022
- 3 min
Making a Case for Sabbath
I didn’t have a very grace filled model of Sabbath when I was growing up. If you were a church kid who grew up in the 60’s or 70’s this...
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Darrel Muth
- Feb 21, 2022
- 6 min
Habit and Hospitality
What are the Habits of your life that reflect the spirit of Christ in you? What does hospitality mean to you? The Federal Aviation...
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Darrel Muth
- Feb 14, 2022
- 3 min
Centered Part Seven: The Leader Who Follows
I am a follower The car is a rental, the foreign city is on another continent, and the people don’t speak your language. Then, your sole...
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Darrel Muth
- Feb 7, 2022
- 2 min
Centered Part Six: Subversive Followers
I am a follower “He was alleged to have committed suicide” is what the news agency was told: but numerous bullet holes wrote a different...
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Darrel Muth
- Jan 31, 2022
- 2 min
Centered Part Five: Follow the Leader
I am a follower When we were children, we played a game called “follow the leader.” Darrell— “Let’s play follow the leader.” Randy— “Can...
37 views0 comments
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