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Super Bowl LVI, Bengals, Rams, and Underdogs: An Obsession
As we approached the kickoff of Super Bowl LVI on Sunday, my wife, Beth, and I had a brief conversation about underdogs. Though Beth is...
markallentinsley
Feb 15, 20223 min read
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Missives, Missiles, and Mission: A Challenge for Christians to Do Social Media Better
Some time ago, a reader rather viciously attacked me on social media for something I posted. I obviously hit a discordant chord with...
markallentinsley
Feb 7, 20223 min read
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Bridgewater College's Alexander Wyatt Campbell: He Gave Love a Bad Name
I was heartbroken Tuesday afternoon to hear reports of an active shooter on the nearby campus of Bridgewater College in Bridgewater,...
markallentinsley
Feb 2, 20223 min read
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It's time to shut up and listen
I'm currently participating in a weekly Zoom cohort with eight or nine other pastors, and our group topic deals with prayer and seeking...
markallentinsley
Nov 19, 20214 min read
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Some of the nastiest people I've ever met are Christians
Now before anyone starts bashing me for being unreasonable, hyperbolic, or sensational, let me offer six qualifications for my blog...
markallentinsley
Nov 5, 20213 min read
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Tiny Dancers: The Foil of Churchianity
I was listening to the original recording of Elton John's 1972 song "Tiny Dancer" not too long ago, and, for the first time ever, I...
markallentinsley
Oct 15, 20213 min read
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The Theory of Wolfslayer: Jerry Falwell, Jr., Liberty University, and an Important Life Principle
Over the past several years, I've taken to task Jerry Falwell, Jr., and the upper administration at Liberty University (LU). I've been...
markallentinsley
Sep 30, 20215 min read
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Legacy of Kindness
We hear a lot these days about legacy. People say they want to leave behind legacies in their professions, families, churches, and other...
markallentinsley
Jul 23, 20212 min read
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101 Things I've Done
I was reading a friend's Facebook post the other day, and she was listing the 101 things she wants to do before she dies. It got me to...
markallentinsley
Mar 30, 20213 min read
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Praying for Jerry Falwell, Jr.: An Act of Gratitude and Love
Photo Credit: Photo of Jerry Falwell, Jr., posted on his Instagram account on or about Sunday, March 14, 2021. Someone recently brought...
markallentinsley
Mar 16, 20212 min read
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Lawn darts and today's cancel culture: an illustration
I am starting to become quite perplexed by the cancel-culture phenomenon. It doesn't make sense to me why so many Americans are willing...
markallentinsley
Mar 12, 20213 min read
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The Reality of Used Cars: Avoiding Popularity Contests
I've been pastoring for quite some time now. I wouldn't go so far as to say ministry is "old hat" to me, but I have built up quite a bit...
markallentinsley
Feb 25, 20213 min read
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Constitutional rot is eating us alive!
I was reading an article last night where the author described the American political and legal systems as undergoing what he called...
markallentinsley
Feb 16, 20213 min read
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Now that's a drum set! a simple thought about collaboration
I'm the drummer for a local band in the Lynchburg, VA, area. We play an eclectic mix of music, including rock, country, classical, jazz,...
markallentinsley
Feb 10, 20213 min read
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No church for St. Valentine: a reflection on humility
If you were to ask the average American to name three Roman Catholic saints, you would most likely hear St. Nicholas, St. Patrick, and...
markallentinsley
Feb 3, 20213 min read
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Are you an officious intermeddler?
In the law of contracts under the doctrine of restitution, there is a concept known as "officiousness." Something that is officious is...
markallentinsley
Jan 26, 20213 min read
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A picture is worth a loss for words: a tribute to my dad
When my dad became terminally ill this past summer, my wife, kids, and I visited him and my mother with greater frequency than we had in...
markallentinsley
Jan 19, 20212 min read
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Wood of Our Faith: A Paradigm for New Hope
I've loved woodworking my entire life. As a child, I built forts and tree stands from scrap wood my dad had lying around the garage, or,...
markallentinsley
Jan 12, 20213 min read
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The ethical-moral high ground is never found in the valley: a brief reaction to the D.C. riot
I can definitely empathize when people get frustrated or angry with the American political system and those who captain it. And I have...
markallentinsley
Jan 7, 20212 min read
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And all God's people said, "Awomen"?
Recently, I visited my mother's home in the western part of Virginia, and sitting on the living room bookshelf was a ceramic vase I made...
markallentinsley
Jan 5, 20213 min read
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