TPC Pastor's Page

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  • Notes on Parenting

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    Pastor Rich Lusk
    in

    I encourage parents to make the discipline of their young children as liturgical as possible. How can discipline be a liturgy? What is a liturgy of discipline? Discipline should be consistent not only in that parents discipline for the same offenses, but in that discipline should be carried out in a regimented way. Basically: Give…

  • Husbands, Take Out the Trash

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    by

    Pastor Rich Lusk
    in

    If a husband and wife are short with each other, snappy, impatient, if small disagreements escalate into major conflicts, if they constantly accuse and feel accused, etc., the presenting issue is never the *real* issue. In many cases, the problem is that a million small disruptions in the relationship have never been dealt with and…

  • How You Pray Matters

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    by

    Pastor Rich Lusk
    in

    Passion and persistence in prayer matter. Prayer is not supposed to be completely stoic. There is reason to think God is more likely respond to prayers offered in urgency, sincerity, and earnestness. John Frame explains why our emotional frame in prayer matters: “Earnestness is a quality we see in the prayers of many of God’s…

  • Jesus Covers David (Psalms)

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    Pastor Rich Lusk
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    We probably all have a favorite cover song – you know, a song that exists in an original version but which has been picked up and performed by another singer. One of my favorites is Johnny Cash’s “Hurt.” It was originally by Nine Inch Nails but Johnny Cash did a cover of it and….well, let’s…

  • Notes on Hebrews 1:1-4

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    Pastor Rich Lusk
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    Hebrews 1:1-4 is perhaps the most spectacular opening statement in any NT epistle. It’s like a tightly compressed spring that will pop open over the rest of the letter. It’s like flower whose petals will unfold over the next 13 chapters. The whole letter is summarized in these jam-packed verses.  A couple observations: First, Paul…

  • The Resurrection

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    Pastor Rich Lusk
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    The resurrection is not just proof that God accepted Jesus’ payment for sins on the cross. The resurrection is not just a receipt. The resurrection is Jesus’ vindication and therefore the vindication of all who are in him. The resurrection is Jesus’ justification, as it overturned the condemnation of the earthly courts that put Jesus…

  • The Irony of Palm Sunday

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    Pastor Rich Lusk
    in

    Palm Sunday is a day full of ironies. Palm Sunday is not merely a pep rally for crowds welcoming Jesus to the city. They thought he would be a conquering king who would redeem them. They cried out, “Hosanna,” meaning, “save us now!” or “please save us!” They expected him to be inaugurated king and…

  • Race, Ethnicity, and Sanctification

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    Pastor Rich Lusk
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    Most of this was originally posted on X and is related to discussions there: It’s true Paul agreed with the generalization that Cretans are liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons (Titus 1:12). It’s also true that having carried out a gospel ministry at Crete, Paul expected Titus to find Cretan men who met the qualifications…

  • Good Theopaschite Friday

    Good Theopaschite Friday

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    by

    Pastor Rich Lusk
    in

    From X: Why is Good Friday good? Good Friday is all about the good news. It’s good because this is the day Jesus accomplished our full and free redemption. This is the day Jesus laid down his life for us. His life was not taken, but given – he gave his life for ours, willingly,…

  • Prayer Blockers

    Prayer Blockers

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    by

    Pastor Rich Lusk
    in

    Scripture gives us many example of “prayer blocks” — things that hinder our prayers from being answered. Here are some examples from Scripture: “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; 19 but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.” Psalm 66:18-19 “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as…