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Continue reading →: The Mystics and the “Middles” of Life
By Joe LaGuardia I attend a Baptist pastor’s meeting every so often in which we have a time of prayer, as well as listen to a one-hour presentation from a guest speaker. There is always a speaker, and although it is meaningful, we are never left to talk among ourselves—to…
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Continue reading →: A Pastor Appreciates the Hymns: Benedictions and Farewells
By Joe LaGuardia A Pastor Appreciates the Hymns is a series on hymnody and worship in the church. By incorporating personal testimony and theological reflection, the series draws meaning and strength from sacred songs past and present. This article concludes the series. Benedictions are important in every Order of Worship. Whether…
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Continue reading →: The Pastor’s 2018 Reading List
By Joe LaGuardia There seems to be something arrogant about entitling a blog “The Pastor’s Reading List.” I don’t know if it sounds haughty or elitist or what, but something does not seem right. Yet, in the spirit of years gone by, I feel compelled to publish my reading list…
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Continue reading →: The Ten Commandments for Welcoming Guests to Church
By Joe LaGuardia Church consultants and pastors have spilled much ink regarding how churches should welcome guests. There is a reason for that: Churches, from veteran churches to church-starts, need to learn how to greet guests and be the welcoming community Christ calls us to be. You may be surprised…
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Continue reading →: A Pastor Appreciates the Hymns: Songs of Christmas, Part 2
By Joe LaGuardia A Pastor Appreciates the Hymns is a series on hymnody and worship in the church. By incorporating personal testimony and theological reflection, the series draws meaning and strength from sacred songs past and present. So the shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child…
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Continue reading →: Seeing Miracles…Beyond Christmas!
By Joe LaGuardia During our Pastor’s Bible Study last Sunday evening (November 27), someone mentioned that we tend to talk about miracles only around the Christmas season. We speak of the miracles surrounding Christmas: angels displayed in heavenly praise, heavenly hosts communicating with shepherds and Joseph and Mary, visions for…
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Continue reading →: A Pastor Appreciates the Hymns: Songs of Christmas, Part 1
By Joe LaGuardia A Pastor Appreciates the Hymns is a series on hymnody and worship in the church. By incorporating personal testimony and theological reflection, the series draws meaning and strength from sacred songs past and present. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you…
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Continue reading →: A Pastor Appreciates the Hymns: God’s Promises
By Joe LaGuardia A Pastor Appreciates the Hymns is a series on hymnody and worship in the church. By incorporating personal testimony and theological reflection, the series draws meaning and strength from sacred songs past and present. Every believer has seasons of doubt. No matter how strong our faith or our…
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Continue reading →: A Pastor Appreciates the Hymns: Calls to Service
By Joe LaGuardia A Pastor Appreciates the Hymns is a series on hymnody and worship in the church. By incorporating personal testimony and theological reflection, the series draws meaning and strength from sacred songs past and present. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul encouraged Christians to “live a life worthy…
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Continue reading →: Why does the pumpkin have only three teeth?
Joe LaGuardia Why Does the Pumpkin Have Only Three Teeth? And not a row of pearly whites underneath? As if Halloween was a holiday to disgrace In which someone sought to deface. Why Does the Pumpkin Have Only Three Teeth? Why Does the Pumpkin Have Only Three Teeth? Did he…
Engaging Heart, Mind, and Soul
Rev. Dr. Joe LaGuardia
Rev. Dr. Joe LaGuardia is a pastor, writer, and chaplain residing in Florida. He is author of three books and regular contributor to Smyth & Helwys’ Formations Series. His articles have appeared in USA Today, Baptist News Global, Christian Ethics Today, TCPalm, and Rockdale Citizen.
Baptist Spirituality explores the intersection of faith and culture incorporating biblical scholarship, culture and the arts, politics, science, and theology.
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