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	<title>Perry's Scope: Christian sermons, lessons, and resources for teachers</title>
	<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog</link>
	<description>Lesson and Resources for Teachers</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:22:43 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>You Can’t Take It with You but You Can Send It Ahead</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Jesus makes an interesting statement in the Sermon on the Mount. He says, 19 &#8220;Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2010/03/08/you-can%e2%80%99t-take-it-with-you-but-you-can-send-it-ahead/</link>
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		<title>The Builder&#8217;s Cubit</title>
		<description><![CDATA[In ancient times a measurement for building was called a “cubit.” Noah was commanded to build the ark of gopher wood that would be three hundred cubits by fifty cubits by thirty cubits (Genesis 6:14-15). In those days, a cubit was the distance from the tip of the finger to the end of the elbow, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2010/03/03/the-builders-cubit/</link>
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		<title>&#8220;Undercover Boss&#8221;</title>
		<description><![CDATA[CBS has developed a compelling show where the CEO or company owner goes “undercover” within his company, disguised as an entry level worker to see how the company is doing from the employees’ perspectives. The bosses tend to learn a great deal about their management style as well as the satisfaction level of their workers. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2010/02/28/undercover-boss/</link>
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		<title>Information. . .</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Do you remember what it felt like when you discovered the “World Wide Web”? Wasn’t it exciting to know that you had, at your fingertips, access to nearly any subject in the world? If you wanted to learn about the natives in Ecuador, you just entered it in a search engine and you had a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2010/02/04/information/</link>
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		<title>Is Silence Golden?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I recently heard Dan Fisher of Yukon, OK tell a story about a church in Germany during WWII. A member of that church said that their church building was located near a railroad track. Each Sunday during their worship services, trains would come by at a particular time. When they discovered that the trains were [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2010/01/25/is-silence-golden/</link>
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		<title>Essential Oils and God&#8217;s Plans</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I have been learning about essential oils lately. These are the plants’ life blood. When used correctly, these oils can b used as medicines for us. The Bible even mentions these oils including myrrh, frankincense, hyssop, and many more.
Some ideas and questions occur to me as I think about using the oils. First, God made [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2010/01/17/essential-oils-and-gods-plans/</link>
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		<title>A Resolution for Character and Conduct</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Somewhere along the way Americans have allowed a separation between “on the job performance” and the character of the individual. Perhaps we are afraid that if we speak out about character, our own words will bite us in our imperfections. Perhaps we just don’t care about character as long as we have “a chicken in [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2010/01/03/a-resolution-for-character-and-conduct/</link>
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		<title>Arbeit Macht Frei</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently I heard that the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign that stood at the entrance to the Auschwitz concentration camp was stolen. Literally thousands of Jews lost their lives at the hands of Nazi atrocities there. The prisoners were used as slave labor until they were used up. Then they were exterminated and their bodies cremated.
The [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/12/29/arbeit-macht-frei/</link>
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		<title>Stepping Into the Past</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Last weekend I took some vacation time and participated in “Christmas at Old Ft. Concho” in San Angelo, Texas. This is an old Indian Wars fort that was constructed in 1867 and closed in 1889. Some great Americans served there.
This is an annual event in which a variety of reenactors turns out. There are “Mountain [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/12/09/stepping-into-the-past/</link>
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		<title>Keys to Victory</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Dr. Benjamin Rush was a delegate to the Continental Congress during the American Revolution. He and John Adams became close friends even though they were from different states. Rush was in charge of the Continentals’ medical facilities. During the first year we amassed great losses.
Deeply discouraged, Dr. Rush returned to the Continental Congress, sat down [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/11/29/keys-to-victory/</link>
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		<title>Sometimes, It IS What You Know</title>
		<description><![CDATA[For years I have heard and said, &#8220;It is not what you know, it is WHO you know.&#8221; That is often true in finding employment. It is true in making things happen once you are employed. A person&#8217;s influence is hude.
Having said that, let me remind us of Jesus statement in John 8:32, &#8220;You shall [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/11/23/sometimes-it-is-what-you-know/</link>
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		<title>Storm Chasers</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Storm Chasers
The story in Matthew 8:23-27 is a prelude to the exorcism of the demoniac of the Gadarenes. Jesus has explained to the twelve that to follow this rabbi, they had to be committed to him 100%. He takes them on an offensive attack across the Sea of Galilee to a “far country” inhabited by [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/11/18/storm-chasers/</link>
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		<title>A Hood Hero</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
PFC Amber Bahr is an American hero! During the shooting at Ft. Hood, Texas she managed to put a tourniquet on a wounded soldier. She then helped him and others to safety. After caring for some of the shooting victims, she discovered that she also had been shot.
Selfless spirit is one of the most commendable [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/11/09/252/</link>
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		<title>Life in Abundance</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10.10b
To have the abundant, fulfilled life in the present, we must follow Jesus completely. This is reflected in the “Shema” of the Hebrews (Deuteronomy 6.4-9) and repeated by Jesus as “the greatest commandment” (Matthew 22.36-40). We must love God with all of our [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/11/02/life-in-abundance/</link>
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		<title>The Military Is At War, America Is At The Mall</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I read the above words yesterday and it really struck a chord with me. When I think back to the major wars in US history, it is clear that the whole nation made sacrifices for the effort. Gas, food, and various other items were rationed so the troops could have the necessities to fight. Women [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/10/28/the-military-is-war-america-is-at-the-mall/</link>
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		<title>Falcon’s “Flight”</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Richard and Mayumi Heene decided to deceive the nation by claiming their son Falcon was possibly in an experimental balloon that they launched from their back yard. After hours of anxious searching and worry, the boy turned up in the attic of their home. The country gave a collective sigh of relief. That is, until we [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/10/19/falcon%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%9cflight%e2%80%9d/</link>
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		<title>Going Green</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
 There are a number of ways that the gospel writers point out that Jesus is the Messiah. One of the early thoughts about Messiah was that he would have healing in his &#8220;wings&#8221; (corners) of his garment (Malachi 4:2). The woman with the blood issue touched his fringes and was healed (Matthew 9:21). He would [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/10/12/going-green/</link>
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		<title>Bless You!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Years ago when the Star Trek series aired, Leonard Nimoy searched for something memorable for his character, Mr. Spock. The story goes that he went back to his Jewish background to find his unique contribution. If you have seen the shows, you know that he developed a blessing and a sign that all subsequent &#8220;Vulcans&#8221; [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/10/05/bless-you/</link>
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		<title>Do You Pray for Your Leaders?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ Over the years I have found it interesting that men feel called by God to lead churches. I don&#8217;t mean preachers, I mean the men who typically serve churches as elders or deacons or in other volunteer capacities. They do not receive a paycheck for their efforts, yet they serve. They often do not receive [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/09/28/do-you-pray-for-your-leaders/</link>
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		<title>And The Runner-Up Is . . .</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ Her name was Irena Sendler. She died recently at age 98. Never heard of her? Most of us had not until the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize nominees were announced. She lost.
During WWII she worked in the Warsaw Ghetto as a plumbing/sewer specialist. She knew of the Nazis&#8217; plans for the Jews so she worked to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/09/21/and-the-runner-up-is/</link>
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		<title>Others &#8211; Do You Care &#8211; Really?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ Someone has said that the church is the only (or at least one of the few) organizations that exists for the benefit of others. There is a great truth to that statement. When the church is doing its jobs, others benefit.
When we get the right perspective on discipleship, we become like Jesus &#8211; our rabbi, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/09/14/others-do-you-care-really/</link>
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		<title>The Role of Confession</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ Open
Please share your response to one of the following:

As a kid, what did you find difficult to confess to your parents?


I can explain my life as an animal and that animal is a ___________

Study
Please read Nehemiah 8:18 &#8211; 9:5 and share your response to the following:

Why do you think it is important to confess God&#8217;s greatness? [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/09/10/the-role-of-confession/</link>
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		<title>Stinky Feet</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ In his accusation of Job, the Adversary makes an important point. He asked, &#8220;Does Job fear God for no reason?&#8221; (Job 1:9, ESV). We often operate under the assumption that if we serve God, we receive. When difficulties come, we tend to stop serving and start complaining. Job ultimately comes out of his trial realizing [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/09/09/stinky-feet/</link>
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		<title>A Real Son</title>
		<description><![CDATA[  I recently had a rare privilege. I met Charles Cox, a 97 year old man who is the SON of a Union soldier from the Civil War! We in the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War are descended from such soldiers but most of us fall into a 3rd &#8211; 5th generation [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/09/01/a-real-son/</link>
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		<title>Stay Connected</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ We tend to try and create God into an image we can &#8220;live with.&#8221; These disciples had a picture of the Messiah that differed from reality. They were discouraged because they had invested heavily in Jesus and seemingly found that he did not live up to that expectation &#8211; one of reigning over an earthly [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/08/30/stay-connected/</link>
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		<title>Rule Book, Text Book, Or Instruction Manual?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
 When I was a kid I built model airplanes and ships. I put together the Japanese Zero, the German Stuka dive bomber, the British Spitfire, the American Mustang and others. I would hang the planes from the ceiling in my room and let them have have imaginary dogfights. At one point I even put together a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/08/26/rule-book-text-book-or-instruction-manual/</link>
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		<title>Stop Light or Traffic Light?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ Does it bother you how the traffic lights are set up? It seems to me, and this may just be my frustration speaking, that whenever I approach an intersection, the light nearly always changes to red. So, I have to stop and wait the allotted time in order to proceed.
It appears that the traffic lights [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/08/20/stop-light-or-traffic-light/</link>
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		<title>What&#8217;s It All About?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ The Bible teaches us a great deal about purpose. Throughout its pages it reminds us that we have been created for God&#8217;s purposes. The wise man said,
&#8220;Now all has been heard;
       here is the conclusion of the matter:
       Fear God and keep his commandments,
       for this is the whole duty of man.&#8221; Ecclesiastes 12:13
Whatever we [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/08/17/whats-it-all-about/</link>
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		<title>Make Me a Servant?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We often sing a song at our congregation called, &#8220;Make Me a Servant.&#8221; It has memorable sentiment in the words. &#8220;Make me a servant, make me like you; for you are a servant, make me one, too.&#8221;
If I am seeking to live the life of a servant, I will want to follow the example of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/08/13/make-me-a-servant/</link>
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		<title>Wishing Your Life Away</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ When I was about twelve I made the statement that I could not wait until I was sixteen so that I could drive a car. My dad made a profound statement. He said, &#8220;You are wishing your life away!&#8221; At the time I did not really understand what he was saying but in retrospect he [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/08/06/wishing-your-life-away/</link>
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		<title>No Stalin &#8212; a Story of Prayer and Fasting</title>
		<description><![CDATA[  I found this story at Sermoncentral.com. I could not pass up sharing it with you &#8212; especially in light of what may be coming.
How much power can people in agreement have? The answer: the power of life and death. During the brutal reign of Joseph Stalin, who murdered thirty million Russians and bought godless communism [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/08/03/no-stalin-a-story-of-prayer-and-fasting/</link>
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		<title>A Horse is a Horse (Psalm 20)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades. Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/07/30/a-horse-is-a-horse-psalm-20/</link>
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		<title>Major Differences</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ Does it offend you that our government has put our descendants into trillions of dollars worth of debt? Does it seem even a little tyrannical that they have forced on them &#8220;taxation without representation&#8221;? Why are we surprised? Is that not the way of the world? Isn&#8217;t it all about what &#8220;I&#8221; can get and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/07/29/major-differences/</link>
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		<title>God-N-America (3) The Miracle of Yorktown</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A guide at Yorktown (this was the pivotal battle of the Revolution where we essentially won the war) said, &#8220;We won the battle for three reasons:

Militarily: The Brilliance of General Washington and the help he got from the French;
Division in British Army (bickering), and
Luck -&#8221;

Cornwallis chose Yorktown because it was good ground for battle and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/07/27/god-n-america-3-the-miracle-of-yorktown/</link>
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		<title>God-N-America (2): Washington and Long Island</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ On August 27, 1776 British General Howe had trapped Washington and his troops on Long Island.  He intended to advance on them the next morning and crush them, ending the war.
In a desperate attempt to escape, Washington gathered every available vessel, including row boats and began to row his 8000 troops to the mainland.  When [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/07/23/god-n-america-2-washington-and-long-island/</link>
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		<title>Harry Truman, a True Man of Principle</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I received this information about President Harry Truman via e-mail today. I don&#8217;t know the source but I wanted to share it with you in light of modern politicians.
Harry Truman probably made as many important decisions regarding our nation&#8217;s history as any of the other 42 Presidents.  However, a measure of his greatness may rest on [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/07/22/harry-truman-a-true-man-of-principle/</link>
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		<title>Speaking of Hate Speech</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ Recently I heard about a preacher in Europe who spoke out against homosexuality. After his sermon, he was imprisoned. The charge was &#8220;hate speech.&#8221;
I was not there. I do not know the content of his message. I am guessing that he used the Bible to show that homosexuality is a sin (1 Corinthians 6:9). That [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/07/21/speaking-of-hate-speech/</link>
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		<title>The Soldier or the Battle?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I was doing some research for a class and ran across this article in Joe Beam&#8217;s, Seeing the Unseen (see page 186). It is quite thought-provoking. I abbreviated it a little but it still has the impact. What applications can you make?
During the first Gulf War, a member of the US Naval Intelligence told of going [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/07/20/the-soldier-or-the-battle/</link>
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		<title>Tricks or Treats</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ Charlie Brown used to receive a &#8220;rock&#8221; each time he went &#8220;trick or treating&#8221; at Halloween. We, like he, do not generally consider snakes and stones as positives. Typically, however, God does not use them for rewards (see Matthew 7:7-12).
In the model prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus reminds us to pray for our daily needs. &#8220;Give [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/07/13/tricks-or-treats/</link>
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		<title>God-N-America (1)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ Our Founding Fathers attributed the successes of our Continental Army and various leaders to Divine intervention.  The story of George Washington at Monongahela used to be in our history books until it was not &#8220;politically correct.&#8221;
During the French and Indian war at the Battle of the Monongahela, young Colonel Washington was engaged in a fierce [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/07/08/god-n-america-1/</link>
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		<title>Everyday Principles</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ I fancy myself as an American Patriot. I am probably more of a &#8220;wannabe&#8221; but my appreciation for America runs deep. As a result, I do as thousands of Americans. On national holidays I fly &#8220;Old Glory.&#8221; I get up early, check the weather and as dawn&#8217;s early light breaks, I raise the American flag, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/07/07/everyday-principles/</link>
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		<title>A Home for God&#8217;s Word</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ David was a &#8220;man after God&#8217;s own heart&#8221; (1 Samuel 13:14). This is most likely what separated him from King Saul. While David was a sinner too, he truly repented and sought to rebuild his relationship with God when he realized his sins (Psalm 51).
As a shepherd boy, David spent many hours lonely hours reflecting [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/07/05/a-home-for-gods-word/</link>
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		<title>Ready Or Not. . .</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ In the old days when there were only 3 TV channels, no cell phones, and no computer games many of us played games on summer evenings until after dark (o yeah, there weren&#8217;t predators on every corner, either). We remember the familiar &#8220;Ready or not, here I come!&#8221; as we hid, waiting for the seeker.
Those [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/06/30/ready-or-not/</link>
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		<title>The Old Sow and Sow (A Small Group Lesson)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[  Open
Please share your response to one of the following:

Would you say you have a &#8220;green thumb,&#8221; a &#8220;brown thumb,&#8221; or you are &#8220;all thumbs&#8221;?
What is your favorite &#8220;success story&#8221;?

Study
Please read Luke 8:4-15 and discuss the following with your group:

Why do you think Jesus uses this parable?
How would you describe the soils in modern terms?
Which [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-old-sow-and-sow-a-small-group-lesson/</link>
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		<title>Reenacting and Church</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ As you may know I am a Civil War Reenactor. I wear blue or gray and try to imitate what the old soldiers did in their battles and camps. That is, to a point. Yes, I, along with the other reenactors, wear wool; sleep in a tent; eat food cooked over an open fire; and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/06/22/reenacting-and-church/</link>
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		<title>Who&#8217;s Your Hero?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ Our VBS theme this year will be &#8220;Who&#8217;s Your Hero?&#8221; Heroes come in a variety of categories. We might have an historical hero like George Washington, Robert E. Lee, or Abraham Lincoln. We might have a sports hero like Lou Gehrig, Vince Lombardi, or Michael Jordan. We might have heroes in uniform like the warriors [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/06/16/whos-your-hero/</link>
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		<title>More Thoughts on Culture and Churches</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ I wrote a few weeks ago about the culture of a nation impacting the church. I thought of some more ideas that I want to share with you. In the American Restoration Movement, one of the urgencies was unity (as in John 17). The leading men of the Movement attempted to unify the denominational world [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/06/14/more-thoughts-on-culture-and-churches/</link>
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		<title>In Our Father&#8217;s House</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The KJV of the Bible made us think in John 14:1-6 that when we get to heaven we would each receive a Gone with the Wind &#8220;Tara&#8221; mansion to live in. Those translators wrote Jesus&#8217; words as, &#8220;in my Father&#8217;s house are many mansions.&#8221; So, we thought of Tara. A better word is &#8220;rooms.&#8221; Jesus [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/06/09/in-our-fathers-house/</link>
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		<title>Never Enough Money (A Small Group Lesson)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[&#160;
Open
Please share your response to one of the following:

What are three words that you hope people would use to describe you in ten years?
What is something you enjoy doing? What makes it fun?

Study
Read Ecclesiastes 5:8-12 and discuss the following with your group:

Why do you think there is a constant oppression of people in the world? [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/06/09/never-enough-money-a-small-group-lesson/</link>
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		<title>A Lesson from the Chisholm Trail Days</title>
		<description><![CDATA[As you know, I reenact with a Civil War artillery unit. Last weekend I enjoyed participating in the &#8220;Chisholm Trail Days&#8221; in Yukon, OK (the city of my residence). I camped out with the crew on Friday night and we demonstrated firing the cannon several times on Saturday. All in all, it was a fun event.
One [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/06/08/a-lesson-from-the-chisholm-trail-days/</link>
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		<title>Love Myself?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ Perry&#8217;s Scope
Love Myself?
Someone has observed that the greatest harm done to us usually comes from us. Self-hatred and self-abuse are often our biggest enemies. Without thinking more highly of ourselves than we should, let&#8217;s take an inventory of the reasons we should love ourselves (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43).
Loving ourselves is not just an egotistical exercise. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/05/31/love-myself/</link>
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		<title>Servants with a Smile (Small Group Lesson)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ Open
Share with the Group one or two of the following:

If I could throw caution to the wind and really risk, I would. . . . .
The comic character I would like to be like is. . . . .
The most important decision of my life was/is. . . . .
As a child, my favorite game [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/05/27/servants-with-a-smile-small-group-lesson/</link>
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		<title>Dusty Roads</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ Rabbi Akiva was once famous in Judea. He said that a disciple should be so close to his rabbi that he would be covered in the dust from the rabbi&#8217;s feet. It reminds me of my little dog. She apparently likes me so much (or at least is curious about what I am doing) that [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/05/27/dusty-roads/</link>
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		<title>The Last Sentence</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ I have been reading the Constitution and Declaration of Independence a great deal lately. Those readings along with an increased prayer life are the best things that have happened to me since the new Administration has taken control of Washington.
We are somewhat familiar with the opening words of the Declaration. &#8220;When in the course of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/05/21/the-last-sentence/</link>
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		<title>The Blue-Gray Principles</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ I am a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Both of my CW ancestors enlisted in their respective armies as privates. Neither was wealthy or owned slaves. Why did they fight?
My Union ancestor was from East Tennessee, a &#8220;pro-Union&#8221; area of the state. I [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/05/19/the-blue-gray-principles/</link>
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		<title>There Is A Lot to Learn and Do</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ Communists know that education is important to a society. They found that it is the primary deterrent to the Communist takeover of a nation. So, when they target a country, they also target its educational system, especially in regard to religion and patriotism. They slip in and revise a nation&#8217;s history and remove God from [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/05/17/there-is-a-lot-to-learn-and-do/</link>
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		<title>The Battle Is Real</title>
		<description><![CDATA[With ancestors on the North and South in the War Between the States, I have learned to appreciate both sides of the conflict. Occasionally I get to visit battlefields where I imagine the battle that occurred. I remember standing at the starting point of Pickett&#8217;s charge in Gettysburg and being overwhelmed with a sense of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/05/10/the-battle-is-real/</link>
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		<title>Speaking of Realities</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ One of my fascinations is with &#8220;magicians&#8221; (or Illusionists). They say the &#8220;magic words&#8221; and presto, an object appears! I recently read that the &#8220;magic&#8221; word, abracadabra, comes from an ancient Aramaic expression which means, &#8220;I speak as I create.&#8221;
Speech is one of those &#8220;inside-out&#8221; realities. Jesus said, &#8220;It is not what goes into the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/05/03/speaking-of-realities/</link>
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		<title>Seals and Service</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ I saw a sign a few days ago that read, &#8220;U.S. Navy 3 &#8212; Pirates 0.&#8221; It made me think about the daring rescue of Captain Richard Phillips. When the episode began I was impressed with the Captain&#8217;s self-sacrificing spirit in regard to saving his crew. As the story continued, I was impressed with the quality [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/04/28/seals-and-service/</link>
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		<title>Can You EVER Forgive Me? (Sermon Outline)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ 

BEARING THE MARK Joseph Damien was a nineteenth-century missionary who ministered to people with leprosy on the island of Molokai, Hawaii. Those suffering grew to love him and revered the sacrificial life he lived out before them. One morning before Damien was to lead daily worship, he was pouring some hot water into a cup [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://perrysscope.com/blog/2009/04/23/can-you-ever-forgive-me-sermon-outline/</link>
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