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”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
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”
Don’t Hold Back!
This is My body, which is given for you (Luke 22:19 ESV). When we come to these words marking the institution of the Lord’s Supper or communion, we would do well to take off our shoes because we are standing on holy ground. What was purposed in eternity was about to come to fruition. EverythingContinue reading “Don’t Hold Back!”
Seeing Ourselves Correctly
It wouldn’t be impossible to feel compassion for Haman (he was, after all, someone’s son), but you’d have to work at it. The portrait painted of him in Esther is of someone who long ago said goodbye to any attempt to be a decent human being. In place of that is a dark, foreboding, destructiveContinue reading “Seeing Ourselves Correctly”
The Heavy Heart Of Hate
While we might be challenged in several ways to understand and appreciate the significant differences between Esther’s world in the 5th century BC and ours today, Haman presents no such problem. That’s because unfortunately, there’s nothing new or novel about hate. When I speak of hate, I’m not referring to the label some are soContinue reading “The Heavy Heart Of Hate”
Less Than Paradise
The Book of Esther is a head turner. It’s about a Jewish woman (Esther), who parlays a place in the king’s harem into becoming queen of Persia. And oh yes, her cousin (Mordecai—who is her surrogate father), encourages and helps her to accomplish this. Sounds like the latest from Netflix or Hulu, doesn’t it? ButContinue reading “Less Than Paradise”
Shine Jesus Shine!
The background of Jesus’ claim to be the light of the world is the Feast of the Tabernacles (John 7:2,37; Leviticus 23:33-43). During this feast, not only did the Israelites live in booths/shelters for seven days as commanded, but the Levites built huge menorahs which they placed in the temple courtyard to illuminate the eveningContinue reading “Shine Jesus Shine!”
The “No” That Is A “Yes!”
In Titus 2:11-14, Paul is discussing the grace of God that has appeared and offers salvation to all. Of course, it has “appeared” in the person and work of Jesus Christ. His appearance changed history, it split time in two, and it continues to transform the world one person at a time. But not onlyContinue reading “The “No” That Is A “Yes!””
“Go Tell John”
Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me. (Luke 7:23). Have you ever wondered how John took these words from Jesus? I have. The message from Jesus came to him some time after he had been imprisoned by Herod Antipas. Antipas was part of the Herodian dynasty. The Herodians embodied Lord Acton’s adageContinue reading ““Go Tell John””
God Is No Lucy!
Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage. (Exodus 6:9). It hadn’t been that way at the beginning. When Moses and Aaron initially met with the leaders of the Israelites and told them of God’s plans for them, they did more than believe. Upon hearing ofContinue reading “God Is No Lucy!”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 