The Way We Love

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The Way We Love

Loving Jesus is a daily decision to show and demonstrate the presence of Christ in our lives. During Connections Weekend in February, Scot McKnight called love a “rugged commitment.” It’s more than a feeling or a set of principles. Loving Jesus binds us to Him and his followers. Sometimes it requires a difficult climb over […]

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Love Jesus

Love Jesus

When the disciples see the resurrected Lord, they decide they cannot follow Jesus alone. As much as they need Jesus in their lives, they also decide to commit to each other in the way Jesus taught them to do. They love each other faithfully with grace and truth. Because Jesus rose again, they share the […]

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Public Work

Last week, I blogged about the homework of Holy Week. This week, it’s time to enjoy the liturgy, literally “public work,” of Holy Week. The word used most often by mainline Protestant and traditional churches to describe worship “liturgy” comes from an old Latin word liturgia. Originally,” liturgy” referred to things that we call today […]

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Holy Week Is Here

Thursday before Palm Sunday is the day my pastoral homework is usually due. Holy Week is like final exams. No more time for studying. It’s time to proclaim what you know. So usually the Thursday before Palm Sunday I finish the homework to be ready for the worship work. So let me share with you […]

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Waiting in Line

Standing in line in Animal Kingdom last week, one family behind us played with their small children to pass the time. This Brazilian father and mother came to Disney World when they were children and now they were bringing their own. After each round of fun, one child pleaded, “Again and again.” The fun they […]

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Five Ways to Prepare for Easter

One of the greatest opportunities we have to share the gospel is often the most overlooked—Easter Sunday. More people—including the unchurched—want to go to church on this day than any other. On April 5, we will proclaim that we have seen the crucified and risen Jesus Christ in Tallahassee. Help us get ready for this […]

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Saying No

The hardest word in the English language to teach ourselves to use is “No.” That’s why we have lent. For 40 days before Easter, we pause to deprive ourselves of something so that we can focus on following Jesus. We learn to do what he told us to do: deny ourselves, take up our cross […]

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Difficult Conversations

First Peter 3:15 says, “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you and accounting for the hope that is in you.” But how do we prepare for those times? At some point or another, we engage in conversations—and even interrogation—about our faith in Christ and the beliefs that are distinctive […]

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A Vision for FBCTLH

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and participation in our vision process. As I shared with you in January, the church appointed an 18-member strategic planning team. Over 250 people have offered their feedback during the congregational listening and vision sessions, from college students to senior adults. We have received survey results from […]

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Weekday Impact

Before most people start their day, our Weekday staff welcomes bleary-eyed children and parents for another day of education. They teach the love of Christ and lay a foundation that some children share with others for years to come. We hear frequently from families how much they love their experience at First Baptist. One child […]

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