Mark D. Roberts @ Typepad

How Lent Can Make a Difference in Your Relationship with God: Introduction to Lent « Mark D. Roberts

The Christian season of Lent begins next week on Ash Wednesday. For many Christians, this is a special season of the year for growing in one’s relationship with God. Other Christians aren’t so sure about Lent’s meaning or value. I am putting up this post before the start of Lent so that you might have time to think about how, if at all, you want to participate in the observance of Lent. (I put up a couple of posts on Ash Wednesday last week. You can find them collected here: Ash Wednesday: What? How? Why?)

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Resources for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter

How Lent Can Make a Difference in Your Relationship with God

The Seven Last Words of Christ: Reflections for Holy Week

The Stations of the Cross: A Devotional Guide for Lent and Holy Week

Includes the paintings of my wife, Linda Roberts.

Introduction to Eastertide: The Season of Easter

Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

What is Ash Wednesday? How Do We Observe Ash Wednesday? Why Should We? « Mark D. Roberts

Part 1 of series:Ash Wednesday: What? How? Why?

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Charles Dickens: The Man Who Invented Christmas? « Mark D. Roberts

Part 2 of series:Christmas According to Dickens

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Mark D. Roberts

Part 1 of series:Christmas According to Dickens

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Why is Advent Like Learning to Ride a Bike? « Mark D. Roberts

Advent is like learning to ride a bike. No, you don’t have to wear a helmet. No, there is little risk that you will scrape your elbows. No, you don’t even need training wheels.

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The First Sunday of Advent: Waiting for the Shepherd « Mark D. Roberts

This is the first Sunday in Advent, the beginning of the season in which Christians throughout the world prepare for a fuller, richer celebration of the birth of Jesus. Advent is a season of expectation, waiting, and hope. During the four weeks before Christmas, we put ourselves back into the mindset of the Jews as they yearned for a Messiah two millennia ago. Moreover, we get in touch with our own hope for the second coming of the Messiah. (The word advent comes from a Latin word that means “coming” or “visit.”)

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Advent Begins Tomorrow. Today Is The Last Day of the Christian Year. Should You Care? « Mark D. Roberts

Tomorrow is the first day of Advent. In yesterday’s post, I encouraged you to get ready for Advent. Today, I want to think with you about the broader context in which Advent makes sense.

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Get Ready for Advent! « Mark D. Roberts

Advent is coming. It’s time to get ready.

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A Season of Thanksgiving: In Your Celebration of Thanksgiving, Don’t Miss Jesus! « Mark D. Roberts

Part 5 of series:Thanksgiving: Not Just a Day, But a Season

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A Season of Thanksgiving: A Brief History of Thanksgiving « Mark D. Roberts

Part 3 of series:Thanksgiving: Not Just a Day, But a Season

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Faith, Politics, and Mini Cupcakes « Mark D. Roberts

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Where Do People Get Their Ideas of Church? Part 3 « Mark D. Roberts

Part 5 of series:What is a Church?

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Who are the Unreasonable People? « Mark D. Roberts

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Occupy Wall Street Protests Don’t Have a Song « Mark D. Roberts

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Why Write This Series on “What is a Church?”? « Mark D. Roberts

Part 2 of series:What is a Church?

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What is a Successful Worship Leader? « Mark D. Roberts

For many years, I have been on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine. I also write regular column for the magazine entitled Lyrical Poetry. In this column, I take one jewel from the treasure chest of the Psalms and consider its relevance for worship and worship leaders. (By “worship leader,” I am thinking about anyone who helps in leading corporate worship, including: choir directors, band leaders, organists, guitar players, preachers, lay liturgists, etc.)

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If You’re Near New York City, Here’s a Show Not to Be Missed: Freud’s Last Session « Mark D. Roberts

No, I’m not referring to Broadway hits like Billy Elliot, The Book of Mormon, or Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Rather, I’m speaking of a just-off-Broadway masterpiece, Freud’s Last Session. This superb play ought not to be missed.

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There’s No Place Like Home – Inspiration from The High Calling | Mark D. Roberts

I recently sent my son, Nathan, off to college. He’s a freshman at New York University. (That’s 1844 miles away from home, to be precise.) As Nathan experiences the joys and challenges of college life, I find myself reminiscing about my own freshman year. (I was 2,791 miles away from home, in case you’re curious.) I had many adventures during my first months of college, though I struggled considerably with homesickness. As much as I enjoyed the freedom of being on my own, I will never forget how it felt to come home for Christmas vacation of my freshman year. There was nothing like hugging my dog, sleeping in my own bed, and, most of all, being with my family. Truly, there is no place like home.

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Paul and the Silversmiths | Mark D. Roberts

Part 8 of series:Ancient Ephesus and the New Testament

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