Otts On Mission
Reflections on ministry, mission, and the Church
Tag: Life
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Thoughts, Passions, and Sin
Sin as Sickness A kid was recently shot fairly close to where we live. In the middle of the woods, surrounded by other teens, he was shot and killed. Humanity is sick. We see the brokenness of our world just about everywhere these days. All of us feel it. We experience it in just about…
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Hopeful Crumbling
Crumbling Institutions The church as we’ve known it is dying. The institution is crumbling. The systems that we’ve held so dear for so long are falling apart, bit by bit. For many this is a terrifying reality we’d rather not look at. The world we’ve known for so long is disappearing before our very eyes.…
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To Guard Your Heart – Think About Your Thoughts
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 The Importance of Heart The “heart” within the western worldview most often refers to emotions and affections. The “heart” in Scripture and throughout the history of the Church however, referred to something much more. Throughout Church history the heart refers…
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Resting in Goodness
As I was praying today I was reminded of something I heard Dallas Willard say a while back: “none of the fruit of the Spirit are a feeling, they are a condition.” Over the past few years the consistent and pervasive lack of peace in the world around us has been on full display. Peace,…
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Help In Suffering.
“Our world cries out for a theology of spiritual growth that has proven to work in the midst of the harsh realities of daily life.” – Richard Foster. “Help,” so the cries pour forth. A need, a desire; something is wrong. To some, help is for the weak. For others, help means there’s suffering. Who…
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Get Up and Eat…
“Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you…” 1 Kings 19 The awakening of God is quite a simple and gentle thing. It is not a violent shaking nor an order barked out by an officer. No, it seems a gentle touch, a word of invitation spoken with such kindness and…
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Finding Life In A World That’s Bracing
Brace For the Worst “Italy Must Brace For the 2nd Wave.” “Brace Yourself For A Long Winter.” “MLB Free Agents Brace For Long Free Agency Battles.” “The World Braces For US Election Results.” “Entire Workforce Is Bracing For More Bad News.” “Brace For A Long Fight.” Headlines for the better part of this year have…
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3 Years.
3 years of life here in Italy. 3 years of ministry in a country that is slowly becoming more “home” with each passing year. To be honest, it’s hard to believe we had to “celebrate” our 3 year anniversary here in total lockdown. That’s the reality of life and ministry, it’s always changing, always shifting,…