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Continue reading →: Prayer “too deep for words”
Although parents get tired of hearing it, a child’s cry is a miraculous way God helps us figure out what he or she wants. Crying is how children express their longings, how their deepest desires come to the surface of their lives. But wouldn’t it be easier if they just…
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Continue reading →: Ghosts in the sanctuary, ghouls in the fellowship hall
When I was trying to think of something patriotic to write about for the Fourth of July week, I couldn’t think of anything specific. Sure, I considered writing about the separation of church and state–a Baptist thing to do if there ever was one–but I thought (being a good southern…
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Continue reading →: “And your slaves, both men and women…shall prophesy”
[This is the third and final reflection on the Joel text and the Pentecost story in Acts 1-2.] “And your slaves, both men and women slaves . . . shall prophesy.” In the ancient world, there were people who held the top of the social echelon and those who remained…
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Continue reading →: “And your daughters shall prophesy…”
“And your daughters shall prophesy” (Acts 2). Peter preached this from the prophet Joel because it was on the day of Pentecost that God’s Spirit filled the disciples and set their mouths ablaze with God’s powerful Word. Peter must have learned a thing or two between Easter and Pentecost because only…
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Continue reading →: “And your old men shall dream dreams…”
“And your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:17). In the shadow of some recent deaths in Christendom such as theologian John Hick and prisoner-turned-prison reformer, Chuck Colson, some seasoned saints have been writing about what God has in store for those who are facing the second half of their…
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Continue reading →: Times may change, but the Spirit is always with us
For those who follow the Christian calendar, this day stands between Ascension Sunday (Acts 1:1-11) and Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21). It is a time of anticipation and change, a moment between the old life in Jerusalem and the new Commission to go to the ends of the earth. It all reminds…
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Continue reading →: Spiritual Deficit, Culture Wars turning away entire generation
A political argument states that federal deficits are harmful because it forces others–presumably our children and grandchildren–to pay the bills. It’s a good argument, so perhaps we Christians should think about a different kind of deficit that is mounting: The spiritual deficit that is growing among young people in our nation.…
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Continue reading →: Psalms of Lament express anguish, Mother’s Day losses, during sleepless nights
Have you ever experienced a sleepless night? It seems that when we are anxious or grieving, we become most vulnerable at night. There is something about resting our bodies and minds that brings about jumbles of thoughts and emotions that keep us from falling asleep or getting our souls to…
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Continue reading →: Controversy over Amendment One makes its way into the pulpit
By Rev. Bailey Edwards Nelson Right now there is a boy cowering in the corner of his dark closet. His cheeks are stained with tears, just as his face and body are stained with purple and blue bruises. He didn’t mean to make his father angry. He didn’t know that…
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Continue reading →: Praying the Psalms (part 1): “A Prayer of Gratitude” (Psalm 107)
The Praying the Psalms series was a three-week series at Trinity Baptist Church from April 15, 2012, to April 29, 2012. Text: Psalm 107 I. There is a story about late Catholic priest, Henri Nouwen, who made it his goal to memorize as many psalms as he could. Story has…
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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