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”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
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”
Surprised By God
The story of Ruth must have knocked the socks (or at least the sandals) off of its Jewish audience. It’s the account of a young Moabite woman who, rather than remain in a pagan land with her people upon the death of her Jewish husband, made the radical decision to accompany her mother-in-law (Naomi) toContinue reading “Surprised By God”
Remembering Who We Are
We were getting ready to take our oldest daughter to Bible camp. Another young lady, who would be riding with us, was being dropped off by her parents. She was their oldest child as well. But her parents didn’t engage in a long, drawn-out farewell (as I might have done). Nor was there any listContinue reading “Remembering Who We Are”
Creation, Marriage, & Family
1. Marriage is not a good idea, it’s God’s idea. Marriage is more than a social construct—a concept adhered to by people in order to promote stability in families for the greater good of society (although it’s true that marriage does this). Marriage is of divine origin—it comes from our Father! If marriage is anythingContinue reading “Creation, Marriage, & Family”
We’re Not In Kansas Anymore
Well, we’re not in Kansas anymore. You remember the scene in The Wizard of Oz where Dorothy’s house crashes after the tornado had spun it around in the sky. She opens the front door and outside is not the drab black-and-white world of a farm in rural Kansas, but the brilliant Technicolor world of Oz.Continue reading “We’re Not In Kansas Anymore”
Putting Ourselves In The Position Of Power
We’ve all had the experience of being out of position—the wrong lane in congested traffic, in the checkout line behind someone whose gift card has brought the system down, or in a job that doesn’t match our skill set. It’s not a good place to be and we try to get out as quickly asContinue reading “Putting Ourselves In The Position Of Power”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 