Is there a more difficult scenario for a parent than to be estranged from one of their (grown) children whose precise whereabouts are unknown? I suppose there could be something, but it’s hard to fathom (and who really wants to try?). But suppose you were in this situation (and God bless those of you whoContinue reading “The Mathematics of Grace”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
The writer of Hebrews employed a cold opening long before anyone had any idea what that was! Whoever wrote Hebrews wanted to get right to his message, so he does so without identifying himself or giving any kind of greeting. Perhaps this reflects the urgency he felt about what he had to say. What isContinue reading “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
Be Strong and Courageous!
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:7) These are words from Moses to Israel just prior to his death on Mount Nebo (Deuteronomy 34). The phrase “be strong and courageous” occurs two more times in the chapter (v. 7,Continue reading “Be Strong and Courageous!”
Curses
Mark Twain famously noted that it wasn’t the parts of the Bible he didn’t understand that brought him grief—it was the parts he did understand! I think that’s the case with the section of Scripture in Deuteronomy 28-30. There’s not much that’s vague, ambiguous, or cryptic—it’s all very straightforward: Follow God and be blessed; forsakeContinue reading “Curses”
A Bookish Approach To The Bible
I was preaching/teaching through Revelation on Sunday nights. We had just looked at the first part of chapter 21 and talked about how although this text is commonly applied to heaven, it’s really about the exalted church that has just been delivered from Roman oppression. On the way home my wife Janice made the comment, “That’s really not that hard toContinue reading “A Bookish Approach To The Bible”
Doing It By The Book
Have you ever seen the previews to a movie, gotten all excited about it, then watched the movie and walked away disappointed because it wasn’t anything like what the previews suggested? Welcome to the club. I suppose the people who put the previews together could tell you they were just doing their job (which isContinue reading “Doing It By The Book”
Not Chance But Choice!
The book of Deuteronomy is (among other things), a record of Moses preparing Israel for life in the promised land. Chapter 28 is part of a concluding section of Moses’ address given to the nation shortly before his death (34:1-8). Not long after his passing, Israel entered Canaan under Joshua’s leadership. We reach a crescendoContinue reading “Not Chance But Choice!”
Just Passing Through
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking ofContinue reading “Just Passing Through”
The Scripture and Gender (3)
What does it mean to be masculine and what does it mean to be feminine? How do we guide our sons and daughters in this important area? In a previous post, I touched on some important basic truths: With these things in mind, let’s dig into some meaningful specifics. 1. We should think of ourContinue reading “The Scripture and Gender (3)”
Democracy And The Kingdom Of God (1)
If you live in America, democracy is ingrained in you. It’s in the air you breathe and the water you drink. In the language of technology, it’s our operating system. We don’t even think about it; which is another way of saying we’re not always aware of how it colors and shapes our thinking. It’sContinue reading “Democracy And The Kingdom Of God (1)”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 