Based on data from people applying for Social Security cards for their children a few years ago, the most popular baby names for boys were: Liam, Noah, Oliver, Elijah, James, William, Benjamin, Lucas, Henry, and Theodore. But no Onesimus. That’s too bad. Although it’s a little long at four consonants (you’d probably have to comeContinue reading “Useful!”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Re-Release of The Thrill of Hope
If you have started Revelation a time or two but were unable to gain the traction needed to see it through to the end, The Thrill of Hope can help. It won’t make Revelation easy (nothing can do that), but it will make it easier. It is an entry-level look at Revelation that puts the book inContinue reading “Re-Release of The Thrill of Hope”
Taking Jesus at His Word
We’re not sure where the story found in John 7:53-8:11 belongs. This is why in most translations it is set in italics, bracketed, or even put into a footnote. Textual authorities tell us that it’s not in the two earliest manuscripts we have of John which date back to the beginning of the third century.Continue reading “Taking Jesus at His Word”
The Bread of Our Lives?
In John 6, Jesus has a problem. It is nearing the end of the day and there are several thousand people around Him—some of them are a long way from home. He doesn’t want to send them away hungry but there’s not much food available. The disciples do a quick search and all they canContinue reading “The Bread of Our Lives?”
Our Times are in His Hands
The late Pete Seeger took Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and arranged it into a song but before he could get into the studio to record it, a group called The Limelighters did. One of the musicians for that session was a guitarist by the name of Roger McGuinn. McGuinn helped arrange the song for Judy Collins’ album the following year. In 1964, heContinue reading “Our Times are in His Hands”
Seeing Things As They Are
Someone said, “We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are.” They said a mouthful, didn’t they? All you have to do is think about selfies. We take them until we finally have one that reflects the way we like to think we look (conveniently forgetting that it took us 67Continue reading “Seeing Things As They Are”
Set Aside
Jesus said in John 10:35 that the Scripture cannot be set aside. What did He mean by these words? It means the Scripture is true. When we examine the biblical witness in the context in which it was written, it is completely authentic, genuine and of absolute veracity. When Christ was confronted by the materialistic Sadducees and theirContinue reading “Set Aside”
The Power of Silence
Pilate is clearly a conflicted man when Jesus is brought to him. He understands that the Jewish leaders have an agenda in wanting to see Jesus crucified (see Matthew 27:18). On the other hand, he has a responsibility to maintain the Pax Romana (Roman peace) established by Augustus and maintained by his successor Tiberius. WhateverContinue reading “The Power of Silence”
Nicodemus and the New Birth (1)
You have to have some sympathy for Nicodemus. From all appearances, he was a person who wanted to do what was right. Although Jesus was not in favor with the leadership of Israel and Nicodemus was part of that group, he sought Jesus out (John 3) even though it meant putting him at odds withContinue reading “Nicodemus and the New Birth (1)”
Nicodemus and the New Birth (2)
Under the law God had given through Moses, Jewish people like Nicodemus entered into a covenant relationship with God by virtue of their physical birth into the nation (there was more to it than that, of course, but that was where it began). With the coming of Christ, covenant relationship no longer came through theContinue reading “Nicodemus and the New Birth (2)”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 