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The Upside Down Ministry

This is our dream… For over thirty years we’ve wandered, much like the Israelites in the desert; and we’ve wondered “what would happen if we could expose the whole world to the Jesus Christ who inspired a ragged band of simple folk to turn their world upside down?” What would happen if not hundreds… …or thousands… … or millions… …but Billions of people could be inspired by the power of: Turning the other cheek? Going
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The Attempt: Day 28

Let’s begin with a prayer: Our Father in heaven, We come to you with love and respect; asking for forgiveness, thanking you for grace. Please be with us in these coming weeks as you have in the past. Help us to glorify you and move hearts to remember your son. And thank you for blessing this attempt we’ve made at reaching out to you and one another through reading scripture together. Thank you for the pow
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The Attempt: Day 27

I asked if any of our friends of the cast would like to say a prayer for us here. I was so happy to hear from my Portland friend Michelle Kern. Michelle and her husband, Don, are disciples back home and also two of my motorcycle buddies. Michelle is going to open our devotional for us today: Lord I pray for all those you have chosen, for us whom you have found worthy of your calling. That through your glory we will b
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The Attempt: Day 26

Let’s open with a prayer. Josh Archer has asked to pray. Josh plays John Mark, a young man when we first see him; a son in the faith to Peter, and eventually the author of the gospel of Mark. Holy father, We come before you to glorify your name. Please bless this production and make miracles happen. Be with everyone’s health, and be with their spirit. Thank you so much for the positivity surrounding our u
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The Attempt: Day 25

Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, 2 where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. 3 They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. Man, this is dark stuff. They’re lying, because they’re planning on
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The Attempt: Day 24

We’re deep in rehearsals now, folks. Most of our cast has made it here to St. Louis, but we’re still looking forward to getting our lovable stragglers here safely over the next few days. At any rate, in less than two weeks we’ll open our show. Here’s our gang so far: We covet everyone’s prayers. Let’s continue our reading of Acts with a few less comments from me, but first let̵
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The Attempt: Day 23

In our last episode we saw the commander free Paul and then bring him before the Sanhedrin. Remember the room where the Sanhedrin met? Standing in this room, with the commander and surely a few Roman guards accompanying him… … Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” 2 At this the high priest Ananias ordered those st
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The Attempt: Day 22

We last saw Paul standing on the steps of the Roman garrison; the Antonia Fortress. Having spoken to the commander in Greek, he dispelled the assumption that he was an Egyptian rebel. The commander, hearing a man speak the lingua franca of the day is suddenly thinking, “who is this man?” He thought he knew, but he’s taken aback by the fact that he doesn’t. He shakes his head, as if to clear it
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The Attempt: Day 21

Spoiler alert: this chapter ends with a cliff hanger. After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. 2 We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. 3 After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. I’
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The Attempt: Day 20

Part 1: The Journey to Jerusalem is about to begin in earnest. When the uproar had ended… 2 hours of shouting in the Ephesian theatre, then the city clerk dismisses the assembly. …Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. 2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3 where he stay
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