“God is with us”—that’s vital to know, isn’t it? From Psalm 23 to Romans 8, the Scripture tells God’s people in no uncertain terms that He is with them. In light of this, it’s a little strange that we spend as much time as we do wondering about the presence of God in our lives.Continue reading “Flipping the Script”
Author Archives: A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green
Faith and Philosophy
However else we are to understand Qoheleth (the “Teacher” or “Preacher”) in Ecclesiastes, it seems to me that it is important to pay attention to his wisdom statements—especially those where he speaks of his search for wisdom. The first such statement occurs in 1:16-17: “I said to myself, look I have increased in wisdom moreContinue reading “Faith and Philosophy”
The Search for Significance
Was Maslow right and self-actualization is the end all of human existence? (Although Maslow later modified the hierarchy, his original version is what he is remembered for). Or was John Lennon right when he said/sang there was no heaven? While Maslow’s apex was individualistic, Lennon’s goal (at least in “Imagine”), was more communitarian (“the worldContinue reading “The Search for Significance”
Dying to See
Paul will tell the disciples in Rome they are to count themselves “dead to sin but alive to God” (6:11). He has previously spoken of baptism as being the place where they “died to sin” (v. 2) and were “baptized into His death” (v. 3)—that is, the death of Jesus. What does he mean? Jesus’Continue reading “Dying to See”
Why Did God Create Man?
God created man to bless him—fully, richly, and deeply! In the creation account we hear words like blessed, fruitful, fill, subdue, rule over and I give all made in reference to him (Genesis 1:28-29). The highest expression of man’s favored status lies in the truth that he is made to be an image-bearer of the Trinity (v. 27). In this, man has cosmicContinue reading “Why Did God Create Man?”
The Fear of (Not) Falling
Years ago when we were living in east central Alabama, our oldest daughter Amy (who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina), let us know that they would be coming to Birmingham (2 hours away) for a wedding. Naturally, we were excited about the opportunity to see them. As it worked out, we were able to spend someContinue reading “The Fear of (Not) Falling”
The Pace of Grace
There’s a pace to grace. It’s like running a long distance race. No one in those races runs as fast as they can. Instead, they pace themselves so they’ll have enough strength to make it to the finish line. They find a nice rhythm on the straightaway to conserve energy so they’ll be able toContinue reading “The Pace of Grace”
Seeing Jesus in New Ways
Dr. Oliver Sacks was Professor of Neurology at NYU School of Medicine but he’s best known for the dozen or so books he wrote. Most of these chronicle his clinical work over the years and deal with patients with unique and intriguing issues. The titles of his books tend to reflect this: The Man who MistookContinue reading “Seeing Jesus in New Ways”
On a Hill Far Away
There are passages of Scripture that are profoundly rich, deep and endlessly expansive. They seem to tower over other texts and have a life of their own. They challenge, inspire, and speak to us on multiple levels. That’s more than a subjective impression, Christ said as much in Matthew 22:34ff and again in 23:23. IContinue reading “On a Hill Far Away”
Land, Man, and Glory
One of the things we should notice in Genesis (and the whole of Scripture), is the importance of land. Man has a unique relationship with the earth. He alone is said to come from it (2:7). That being true, we shouldn’t be surprised that land often symbolizes man’s relationship with his Creator. When man isContinue reading “Land, Man, and Glory”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 