Author Archives: Bob Bjerkaas

Historical Perspectives on Worship Wars: “A Patent Thing A-Squealin’ Over Me!”

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

I am the very worst sort of bibliophile. I will not only judge, but will even buy a book based upon its cover. During my early twenties – when I was a young, poor grad student (who nonetheless had more … Continue reading →

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No More Costume Parties!

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

This month churches all across America will have costume parties for kids. Whether they are called “Fall Harvest Festivals” or “Reformation Day Parties,” kids will show up in fellowship halls from here to Maine dressed up as little ninjas, superheroes, … Continue reading →

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How Big Are Your Ears?

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

Having ears that are both a bit larger than average and happen to be perpendicular to the sides of my head, that is a fun question to type! The physical size of your or my ears, however, is unfortunately not … Continue reading →

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Love Is Not Proud

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

Pride is like patience in at least one way: both can be either good or bad. Patience in waiting for a guard to move so you can rob a bank is a bad thing. Patience in helping your child learn … Continue reading →

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Faith and Works: Ancient Advice on a Modern Confusion

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

“All sensible people, not to mention Christians, should watch with the greatest care what they say, lest their tongue get ahead of their mind and babble forth before they have organized their thoughts.”[1] Urbanus Rhegius, 1535 Lately I have been … Continue reading →

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The Laughter of Whales

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

I have lived just miles from the Pacific Ocean for eight years now, but I have never seen a whale. It is on my bucket list though! I am particularly interested in observing whales breaching – an instance of cetacean behavior … Continue reading →

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Love Does Not Boast

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

To “boast” has a fairly specific meaning in our English language. It means, “to speak with excessive pride about one’s own accomplishments, talents, or possessions.” It does not take a Bible scholar to know that love does not do those … Continue reading →

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Praying for Rain

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

“April showers bring May flowers.” When I was growing up in Maryland, this little bit of a rhyme was doubly true. March and April were rainy months, and flowers started blooming in earnest in May. Out here in California we … Continue reading →

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New Pictures of Leadership: Humble Service (Acts 27-28)

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

It was the kind of cold that hurt.  Crawling out of the surf only made it worse.  The ocean had been a balmy sixty-eight degrees, but the air temperature was in the low fifties.  Even that wouldn’t have been so … Continue reading →

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Run Like an Ostrich

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

Are you okay with how God made you?  As both a pastor, and a coach (not to mention as an individual), rarely a day goes by when I don’t see someone struggling with feeling inadequate or inferior in light of … Continue reading →

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