Tag Archives: church

The Letter to Thyatira

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Don Merritt

Thyatira provides an interesting case, well worthy of our study. It was located in a valley that connected two other valleys, and because of its situation, it became a center of commerce and industry. There were weavers and tanners here … Continue reading →

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The Letter to Smyrna

Posted on August 14, 2018 by Don Merritt

Smyrna was the rival of Ephesus, a great and beautiful city built on the slopes rising out of the sea. Its buildings were a sight to behold and it was the most loyal of allies to Rome. Later it would … Continue reading →

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The Letter to Ephesus

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Don Merritt

Ephesus was a great city; a transportation and commercial hub, and the home of the great temple of Diana. We discussed its ancient significance in our study of Ephesians, and as the recipient of one of Paul’s epistles the church … Continue reading →

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Mars and the Way we “do” Church

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Don Merritt

We are at the point where our hypothetical first church on Mars, and our metaphorical naked before God intersect. This meeting place is found when we must ask ourselves what role personal preferences should play in community, specifically in the … Continue reading →

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Naked Before God: On Mars

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Don Merritt

I have enjoyed our journey together so far, beginning with our hypothetical “first church” on Mars, and then looking at our individual relationships with God through the lens of a metaphor, that of being naked before Him. We have now … Continue reading →

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Nakedness, Tough Guys and False Expectations

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Don Merritt

The tough guys never bothered me in Junior High School; that is something you should understand right from the first. Yet even though they didn’t bother me, they bothered everyone else, unless you were one of my friends. I was … Continue reading →

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Naked Before God: In Community

Posted on July 12, 2018 by Don Merritt

Up to this point we have been discussing being naked before God in our own personal worship, individually; just God and you. This can and should be a wonderful time, regularly observed. Yet it is not the end of matter … Continue reading →

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A Few Final Thoughts

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Don Merritt

NOTE: I am writing this piece on Thursday morning because pursuant to the commends of She Who Must Be Obeyed, by the time this posts I will be in a nearby state visiting her sister. Consequently, I will not have … Continue reading →

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The Next Step

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Don Merritt

We begin today with our look at those Greek words that are translated into English as “worship”: proskyneo to do reverence, or homage by kissing the hand; in NT to do reverence or homage by prostration; to pay divine homage, worship, adore, to bow one’s self in adoration* … Continue reading →

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I Think it’s Time

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Don Merritt

I have very much enjoyed our little Martian adventure, and I want to thank everyone who has participated in our discussion so far; you are all amazing! Yet I think we have just about arrived at the time when we … Continue reading →

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