Author Archives: A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green

Fabulously Clean and Invitingly Empty

These days, an empty stadium or ballpark is the norm. But before Covid, back in 2015, the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox played a game in Baltimore in an empty stadium. The Orioles announced that due to the unrest and violence in the city, the game between the two teams would take placeContinue reading “Fabulously Clean and Invitingly Empty”

Dinner for 13

With less than twenty-four hours remaining in His life, Jesus is holding a meeting with His twelve apostles in an upper room. Though He has little if anything in terms of worldly possessions, He nonetheless has a strong desire to leave them with something to remember Him by (Luke 22:14). As you might expect withContinue reading “Dinner for 13”

Bubbles and Hazmat Suits

It’s been several years, but I remember a youth minister informing to me that he and his wife weren’t going to watch anything other than PG-13 movies. He said that way he could tell young people not to watch R-rated movies and be consistent. I told him I appreciated his concern for both himself andContinue reading “Bubbles and Hazmat Suits”

A Great Place To Be

Beverly Gaventa notes how “prayerful thanksgiving dominates 1 Thessalonians.” Paul pauses three times in the first three chapters to give thanks (1:2, 2:13, 3:9). At the end of the letter, he encourages the disciples to “give thanks in all circumstances” (5:18). In all of this, he’s not simply repeating himself nor is he trying toContinue reading “A Great Place To Be”

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 his favor lies in the fact that he is made to be an image-bearer of the Trinity (v. 27). Man may choose something less forContinue reading “Why Did God Create Man?”

When God Shows His Colors

The story of Noah begins the second cycle of the Genesis narrative (Brueggemann). In the first cycle, we see the creation of the world followed by rebellion—first through Adam and Eve, then by Cain, and finally Lamech (4:19ff). In the second cycle, we see rebellion (6:5ff) followed by re-creation, as God destroys the world inContinue reading “When God Shows His Colors”

What Happened in the Garden?

It’s easy to look at Adam and Eve eating the fruit from the tree and think, “What’s the big deal? Their curiosity got the best of them and they messed up. That’s no reason to bring down the universe, is it? Who did they hurt? What was it about eating some fruit that justified theContinue reading “What Happened in the Garden?”

We Are Not The Answer (Tomorrowland)

Have you ever wondered what would happen, if all of the geniuses,                      the artists, the scientists, the smartest, most creative people in the                      world decided to actually change it? Where. where could they even   Continue reading “We Are Not The Answer (Tomorrowland)”

The Obedience of the Nations Shall be His

The scepter will not depart from Judah Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until He to whom it belongs shall come And the obedience of the nations shall be His. (Genesis 49:10) It’s not difficult to look at the first part of this blessing that Jacob gives to his son Judah and recognize thatContinue reading “The Obedience of the Nations Shall be His”