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Continue reading →: Southern Baptist Great Commission Report calls for support, draws controversy
On April 10, I published a column in the Rockdale Citizen challenging Christians to consider that unity in the church is a necessary catalyst for reaching people for Christ. I mentioned that there are many issues dividing Christians that can distract us from preaching the Gospel. Not that these issues…
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Continue reading →: Gratitude is a first step in confronting the whys of suffering
At some point in life every person must pass through the rigors of doubt and darkness. The most likely crucible of theological wrestling contends with the question of why evil, suffering and hardship befall a world created by a good God. When we try to explore possible answers to this…
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Continue reading →: Mother’s day: a time of celebration and grief
I started perspiring as someone asked me the question a second time: “Why did you only have six caregivers?” Such was one of many questions asked of me when I had to defend my dissertation in front of my seminary’s Doctor of Ministry committee. My dissertation had been on caregivers…
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Continue reading →: Seek to integrate all aspects of life under the lordship of Christ
According to author Robert Mulholland, the goal of spiritual formation is to be conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others. Many folks think that when we are conformed to Christ, we act, look, and talk differently. In many cases this is true, especially after a conversion…
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Continue reading →: In time for Earth Day: The Creation Message of Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. God makes me lie down in green pastures; the Creator leads me beside still waters and restores my soul.” This Psalm — the 23rd — is one we hear often at funerals. It is one of my favorite psalms, but it…
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Continue reading →: Strive for unity in the midst of diversity
In one of his more passionate letters, Paul encouraged the Corinthian church to “be in agreement…that there be no divisions among you” (1 Cor. 1:10). The Bible makes clear that Christians are to find agreement in the midst of diversity. Paul’s contention with the Corinthian church was not that diversity…
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Continue reading →: On Easter there is certainity when it comes to the cross of Christ
I heard it said on many occasions that one should never discuss politics and religion with family. Although I don’t discuss the two in mixed company, a conversation without politics and religion with the LaGuardias is like eating a cannoli without the cream. Bland and incomplete. My father and I…
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Continue reading →: Boredom can get the best of us sometimes
My daughter is going through a new phase in her life just in time for her sixth birthday. The phase? She gets bored. When my daughter was younger, she was easily entertained. If we went to a doctor’s office or a meeting, or any other place that was not child-friendly,…
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Continue reading →: Presence can make all the difference in one’s spiritual journey
Nearly two months have passed since an historical senate race in Massachusetts afforded a Republican, Scott Brown, a win for the congressional seat long-held by a Democrat. Although Sen. Brown ran a fantastic race to win, it was Democratic contender Martha Coakley’s lack of campaign gusto that helped tip the…
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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