FINA, the organization that oversees watersports competition, recently came up with a third category for sanctioned contests. In addition to the classifications of men and women, there will now be an open division where those who with gender dysphoria* will compete. The creation of this category is in direct response to the obvious competitive disadvantagesContinue reading “Learning The Hard Way”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Proverbs And Corporal Punishment
Five times in the book of Proverbs the writer encourages his readers to employ the rod in disciplining children (13:24, 22:15, 23:13, 23:14, 29:15). Though some contend that “rod” is used in a figurative rather than a literal sense, there’s no real evidence for that. Since a word is to be understood literally unless weContinue reading “Proverbs And Corporal Punishment”
No Disciples Without Discipline!
Discipline is spoken of in Proverbs from multiple perspectives. 1. Quite often, parents are being addressed and instructed to discipline their children: Discipline your children, for in that there is hope . . . (19:18). 2. There are also quite a few passages where everyone in general is addressed and encouraged to accept discipline inContinue reading “No Disciples Without Discipline!”
Something We Should Value
The word discipline is used 16 x’s in the book of Proverbs. That’s more than in any other book of the Bible and accounts for about 25% of its total occurrences in the Scripture. Obviously then, Proverbs has some important things to say about discipline. Discipline is an important part of human development—no one can move toContinue reading “Something We Should Value”
Background On The Twelve Prophets
When the earliest of the Twelve (whoever that was) began their ministry in the latter part of the eighth century BC, God’s covenant people were almost two centuries into their time as a divided kingdom. The northern kingdom of ten tribes (referred to as Israel, Ephraim, or Samaria), had plunged into idolatry and numerous otherContinue reading “Background On The Twelve Prophets”
That Is Liberation!
Lightning is an example of electricity in a raw, uncontrolled form. We all understand the importance of respecting it or suffering the consequences. We are also mindful of electricity in more controlled forms—say an electric fence or a power line. However, thanks to the work of Ben Franklin and others, we also understand that electricityContinue reading “That Is Liberation!”
Overmatched
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) This is one of those texts that is both comforting and if we’ll admit to it—challenging. The fact of the matter is disciples are all for trusting in the LordContinue reading “Overmatched”
Wisdom As A Tree Of Life
Wisdom is spoken of as a tree of life in Proverbs 3:18. What a picture! It takes us back to the beginning when the newly created Adam and Eve lived in the glorious garden of Eden. This was before the earth was cursed (Genesis 3:17-18; Romans 8:20-21), so it was unlike anything we have everContinue reading “Wisdom As A Tree Of Life”
The Fellowship Of His Sufferings
As we read through the gospels, we come across a number of things that are said to be involved in following Jesus. Here are a few: being born again (John 3:3-5), loving God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:34-40), receiving the kingdom like a childContinue reading “The Fellowship Of His Sufferings”
Jesus From Mark (2)
4. Life was seldom smooth for Jesus. He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness and by Peter at Caesarea Philippi. He experienced rejection from the Jewish leaders, His own family, and His own church. At times in His ministry, He had huge crowds following Him and He enjoyed immense popularity, but most of itContinue reading “Jesus From Mark (2)”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 