-
The Christmas Refugee
Did you ever wonder why Jesus was born in a stable? It wasn’t just coincidence, a lack of planning, or slow travel so that by the time they arrived they just happened to be too late. It wasn’t bad luck that they had to stay in a stable. God carefully orchestrated this. If for no other purpose, I am convinced it was done so that His invited guests would feel right at home when they came to worship. Only a certain few were invited. What an invitation it was! “. . . the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news…
-
It’s All about Me
I have two dogs, both Westies. We’ve had Libby since she was about 8 weeks old, but Maggie was lost and ended up at our house. When Maggie gets in my lap, Libby worms her way in. In Libby’s mind, my life centers around her. When she wants me to scratch her, she doesn’t give up. She pushes under my hand. If that doesn’t work, she nudges me. If all else fails, she stares at me until I pay attention to her. As followers of Jesus, we are like Libby, thinking that God is here for us, not the other way around. I am reminded of Job. As…
-
3 Ways to Encourage a Love for the Bible
You can’t force someone to like something just because you do, but that doesn’t mean you have no influence. As a famous saying goes, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. However, you can always feed him his salt.” Sometimes we underestimate our influence over others, especially our own family members. One of the reasons I love the Bible so much today is due to the influence of my parents, older siblings, and respected adult leaders in our church. Here are 3 Ways to pass on a love for the Word of God. 1.) Be excited about God’s Word & show it. In baseball,…
-
Another Recommendation–Enrich your Lenten season, see Risen
All week I've asked the Lord what to write in my blog and all week no answer–until this evening. David and I just returned from viewing the new film Risen and I simply want to add my hearty recommendation along with my friend, Sandi Glahn, and her friend Chrissy. (See their blogs 2/19 and 2/15) The earlier blog contains the film trailer. I fought back tears during multiple scenes, and I'm not a crier. How refreshing to view a creative work that isn't sappy or contrived. Invite a non believer to go with you. Productive discussion is likely to follow. For you who demand that every Christian film follow verse…
-
Can you spare 15 minutes?
Do you read the newspaper for at least 15 minutes a day? Do you watch at least 15 minutes of television daily? Do you spend at least 15 minutes a day on Facebook? Do you surf the internet for at least 15 minutes a day? Do you check your email for at least 15 minutes a day? If you answered “yes” to any one or more of those questions, let me tell you a story and offer you a challenge? A friend of mine recently diagnosed with serious cancer is fighting for his life. For the past several years he chose to read the bible through each year. In addition,…
-
Truth: Does it Blind or Break?
Leadership is broken because leaders are unbroken As long as truth is theory it blinds. As soon as truth becomes real it breaks. This is something I’ve learned across the years of my life. When I first graduated from seminary, I knew much truth. I could answer nearly every question in some way, often with biblical support. What I could not see was what I did not know. I still can’t, but I’m better at seeing some of my blind spots than I used to be… Every once in a while in my teaching preparation, I go back to an old file and review previous work on a particular passage.…
-
Transforming the Heart
Leadership is Broken Because Leaders are Unbroken Nearly three hundred years ago, Jonathan Edwards wrote on of the greatest Christian classics of all time entitled, Religious Affections. By “Affections” Edwards meant the deepest desires and drives of the heart. For Edwards, this is what our faith is about, and, while he doesn’t need me to confirm him, I believe he is absolutely right. I also believe his perspective is missing in today’s thinking. Edwards said, “. . . no one is ever changed, either by doctrine. . . or by preaching or teaching of another, unless the affections are moved by these things. . . . there is…
-
How inaccurate words hinder our evangelistic efforts with women
For months Sharon prayed that her co-worker Stephanie might accept her invitation to visit her church. Sharon was sure that if her friend experienced the beauty and depth of their authentic fellowship, she might look deeper and find Jesus. For months Stephanie resisted, giving all kinds of reasons. Church people were phony, judgmental, hierarchical, and too political. But when Stephanie's mother passed away suddenly, she decided to accept Sharon's invitation. Sharon was elated, and during the first part of the service her friend seemed open and interested. She sang; she prayed. But then the pastor read Philippians 4:1: Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy…
-
Helping Your Children Learn to Read the Bible on Their Own
Teaching our children to love and value the Word of God is a noble desire. But how do we do so when so many things seem to fight for their attention? The newest iPhone app, TV shows, video games, et cetera! In a world that’s so busy, how do we teach our children to quiet their hearts before the Lord? There are no fool proof methods to short circuiting the Spirit’s work in their hearts, but here are some helpful practices: 1.) Lead by Example—The number one reason I developed a consistent personal devotion time as a young child is because I saw other family members doing it. They never…
-
Responding to Newsweek’s Take on the Bible, Part 4 More Claims of Contradictions and Conclusion
We now come to the fourth and final part of my assessment of the Newsweek article on the Bible. It deals with more claims of contradictions, the role of women in Scripture, and homosexuality. Remaining Claims of Contradiction On Differing Creation stories and JE theory: Again we see here the general skeptical formula “difference equals contradiction” is applied. It is not the only option. Genesis 1 is an overview account as seen in its symmetry. Genesis 2 has more detail. This contention is an old one that prefers critical source theory to a sensitive literary reading and seeing distinct ways of summarizing dependent on the form being literarily applied. Only…
