It was a grey day as I pulled my grey truck into the driveway about mid-morning. It was early November. There was a little bit of wind and rain—the sun was nowhere to be found. Off to the side of our garage was some honeysuckle growing up and over a shoulder-high shrub. I had pointedContinue reading “Bumblebees And Ministries”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Acting Up
Depending on your translation, Colossians 3:1 begins with a “Since, then,” an “If then,” or a “Therefore.” The point being that what Paul is about to say builds on something he has previously said. We don’t have to wonder what that antecedent is because Paul tells us—it’s the fact that we’ve been “raised with Christ”Continue reading “Acting Up”
“I Didn’t Recognize The Number”
A couple of weeks ago a man decided to climb Mt. Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado. It’s just a bit under 15,000 ft., so it’s doable in a day. He started in the morning, reached the summit, and started back down. He got a little disoriented, darkness fell, and he ended up spending theContinue reading ““I Didn’t Recognize The Number””
What Did Jesus Do? (1)
Paul makes no attempt to answer this question exhaustively—but what he does do is address it relative to the Colossians’ situation and circumstances. In effect, he draws a line from the cross to their lives. The other thing worth noting is the Jewishness of the context. Circumcision (v. 11, 13), old covenant ordinances (v. 16),Continue reading “What Did Jesus Do? (1)”
Who Is Jesus (1)
There are several ways to answer that question. One way John answers it is by giving us a series of “I am” statements Jesus made about Himself (i.e., the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Resurrection and Life, etc.). One way Matthew answers it is with Peter’s confession that, “You are theContinue reading “Who Is Jesus (1)”
Drilling Down In Christ
As Paul writes to the disciples at Colossae, he is addressing a youthful church with a pagan background. Epaphras started the church there (1:7), and despite Paul’s time in the region, he hadn’t been there (2:1), which would explain why he addresses no one personally in Colossians. Although Epaphras would have filled him in onContinue reading “Drilling Down In Christ”
Good Gossip?
Can there be such a thing as good gossip or is that an oxymoron? I suppose it depends on how you define the word. One of the definitions Wordnik gives of gossip is, “Rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature.” Let’s start with the idea that a rumor is not inherently goodContinue reading “Good Gossip?”
Sexual Brokenness
We’ve seen from previous posts that sexuality was given by God to be an enriching, fulfilling part of life—thank God for creating humans as boys and girls, men, and women! At a deeper level, our sexuality finds ultimate fulfillment in the marriage relationship. God created us as social beings and we are blessed at theContinue reading “Sexual Brokenness”
Oneness In Marriage
Creation truths are those truths directly connected with God bringing the world into being. We neglect them to our poverty and ruin. One truth born in paradise concerns the purpose of marriage—out of one (Adam), God made two (Adam and Eve), so that He might join them back together as one in marriage. God’s goalContinue reading “Oneness In Marriage”
Good Things Come In Small Packages
The book of Ruth reminds us that good things come in small packages. It is a quick read checking in at just four chapters/85 verses. Furthermore, it is tucked in between more expansive books like Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel. It almost seems like an afterthought—what is such a tiny book doing among theseContinue reading “Good Things Come In Small Packages”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 