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Category Archives: Faith & the Church
Right to Religious Freedom? Yes. Right to run a business according to your faith? Not necessarily.
Our nation’s commitment to the free exercise of religion is unwavering. Religious organizations are tax-exempt, and gifts to religious organizations are tax deductible, lest the tax code be seen as a burden to the free exercise of religion. Americans are free to … Continue reading
Posted in Church/State, Faith & the Church, Politics, Society
Tagged first amendment, freedom of religion, gay marriage, Indiana, RFRA, Same Gender Marriage, wedding industry
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“Still”
“There are still problems (with racism and inequality) and communities of color aren’t just making these problems up.” – President Obama, November 24, 2014 One of the most important words President Obama spoke on Monday night was the word “still.” … Continue reading
Oaths of Office
On Friday I received my commission as a Chaplain (First Lieutenant) in the US Army and in the Indiana Army National Guard. Here are the oaths I swore. I, Christopher Thomas Duckworth, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend … Continue reading
Posted in Church/State, Faith & the Church, Society, Vocation
Tagged Chaplain, Military, ministry, National Guard, Oath
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The Bible’s “Marathon” Verses – 26:2
I am running my second-ever marathon this Saturday. A marathon is 26.2 miles. For no reason other than the novelty of it, I present here every chapter 26, verse 2, of the Bible – out of context, and perhaps quite odd to read … Continue reading
Bible Verse in a Box with a Majestic Nature Scene
Have you ever noticed that so many of the inspirational Bible-verse-in-a-box images that get passed around on Facebook and Twitter superimpose the words of Scripture over a majestic nature scene? A mountain peak reaching into the skies. “I will set … Continue reading
Posted in Faith & the Church, Vocation
Tagged cities, describing God, faith, God, imagery, nature, people, photoverse, scripture, towns
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Same Gender Marriage & The State: A Perspective Rooted in Freedom & Faith
Yesterday I stood with hundreds of fellow citizens outside the doors of the Indiana State House Judiciary Committee, which held a hearing on HJR-3 – a proposed state constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. … Continue reading
Posted in Church/State, Faith & the Church, Society
Tagged church and state, HJR-3, Indiana, justice, Same Gender Marriage, scripture, Traditional Marriage
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Decline of What?
The church is in decline. Sure, I guess. But, what do you mean by that? Membership is down in many congregations. Average weekly attendance is down, too. They are down as compared to 1965. They are down as compared to … Continue reading
Posted in Faith & the Church, Lutheran, Social Media, Stewardship, Uncategorized
Tagged Augsburg Confession, church, congregations, deline, lutheran, models of ministry, sacrament, social media, Word
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