November 5, 2024
Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world. [James 1:27] Last June, Sue and I had the opportunity to go to Assisi, Italy and serve in an Evangelical church there. (With the help of AI, their […]
September 2, 2021
A Word about the Word The sayings of the wise are like cattle prods…like firmly imbedded nails. [Ecclesiastes 12:11] One last nod to our summer examination of the wisdom of Solomon in Ecclesiastes: Though “life under the sun” is often frustrating, the Bible’s words of wisdom are life-giving and faith producing. In our days of […]
August 23, 2021
A Word about the Word Remember your Creator in the days of your youth. [Ecclesiastes 12:1] Life and busyness and idols can all contribute to God-amnesia. “I’ll get to the God stuff when (the kids go to college, I retire, my career settles down, etc., etc.).” God as my “Creator” has less to do with […]
August 9, 2021
A Word about the Word For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. [Galatians 5:13] There’s a lot of talk these days about freedom. The Bible is quite clear that in Christ we have “freedom.” […]
August 2, 2021
A Word about the Word If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength. [Ecclesiastes 10:10] A dull axe requires more strength to get the job done, so sharpen the blade. The point? An overused life and tired mind will not get it done. God’s wisdom […]
July 19, 2021
A Word about the Word By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out…not knowing where he was going. [Hebrews 11:8] Going…not knowing! Huh? What’s that all about? That’s all about faith. And decision-making. And life. Specifically, it is referring to Abram, who was roughly 75 years old when he packed up his […]
July 8, 2021
A Word about the Word If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [1 John 1:9] Confession is healthy. And guilt is rather tricky. Sometimes we feel guilty when we shouldn’t. And other times we don’t feel guilty at all and we […]
June 30, 2021
A Word about the Word “Father, take this cup from me. Yet not my will, but yours be done.” [Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane] I don’t think Jesus was ever more human than when, hours before his horrible crucifixion, he requested if another path forward were possible. But he immediately chose to accept God’s […]
June 23, 2021
A Word about the Word “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law […]
June 17, 2021
A Word about the Word Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife. [Proverbs 17:1] Eating can be a very positive thing. I’m not a “foodie,” but any card-carrying Italian had better appreciate the finer art of food and eating. And yet, it’s not just the quality of the […]