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The Refiner’s Fire

Photo of metalurgist's refiners fire for Mt Zion Baptist Church Sioux City Iowa blog post called The Refiners Fire

The Refiner’s Fire Part of our year-long series: Fixing What’s Broken to Build Back Better Scripture: Malachi 3:2–3 (KJV) Malachi chapter 3, verses 2 and 3 says, “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap: And […]

It Was Caused By Pressure

Pastor Robert N. Lauderdale's blog post titled "It Was Caused by Pressure" describes being bent under pressure by life.

Part of our year-long series: Fixing What’s Broken to Build Back Better Scripture: Luke 13:10–17 (KJV) Picture it with me: a woman walks into the synagogue—but she’s not walking like you and I walk. For eighteen long years she has been bent double, eyes fixed on the ground, unable to stand up straight Luke 13:11 […]

Withered Not Worthless

A withered flower echoes the message in Robert N. Lauderdale's blog post "Withered Not Worthless".

When your strength runs dry, your value in Christ does not Part of our year-long series: Fixing What’s Broken to Build Back Better Scripture: Mark 3:1–7 (KJV) We all walk through seasons when our strength feels like it’s leaking out the bottom. You pray, but your words sound tired. You show up, but your heart […]

I Need Spiritual Discipline

This young African-American man is praying for spiritual discipline as described in the "I Need Spiritual Discipline" blog post.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 (KJV) As we journey through life, we hear God’s Word expose the state of humanity—and then it gets personal. It speaks to my condition. Maybe you’ve asked, “Lord, how do I get out of this dilemma? How can I get back to where I once was?” You don’t need to be […]

Let The Church Be The Church

A diverse church group praying together conveys the message of the blog post titled "Let The Church Be The Church".

Scripture: Matthew 21:13–16 (KJV) If we’re going to fix what’s broken to build back better, the true, authentic Church must be free to be who and what she was intended to be. The word “church” comes from the Greek Ekklesia—the called-out ones. But, let’s be honest: you and I can’t see hearts. In its deepest […]

Surviving Life’s Storms

Stormy skies over a Midwest landscape conveys the tone of the blog post titled "Surviving Life's Storms" by Robert N. Lauderdale.

Scripture: Mark 4:35–41 (KJV) As I look around our congregation and scroll through social media, I see one common thread we all share—the struggle to survive life’s storms. Theologian Karl Barth once said we should “preach with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other.” I believe he meant our preaching should […]

Watch Your Mouth

A woman cringing conveys the message in the blog post titled "Watch Your Mouth" by Robert N. Lauderdale.

Scripture: Numbers 12:1–16 (KJV) At the mere mention of this subject, I can almost hear you wondering—who is Pastor talking about? But child of God, it’s bigger than one person. The reality is, if we’re going to fix what’s broken to build back better—in our homes, workplaces, communities, or churches—we must develop the discipline to […]