Where God is Leading Us

 . . . On the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.  (2 Thessalonians 1:10) We now know that in the first three years of a newborn’s life, their brain is developing at warp speed. Their brain makes over a million neural connections each ____________Continue reading “Where God is Leading Us”

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”

To See or Not To See?

The episode in 2 Kings 6:8-23 takes place around the middle of the ninth century BC. It is during the time of the divided kingdom and the Arameans (the Hebrew term for those who lived in Syria), are a constant thorn in the side of the Israelites. During Elijah’s time, they fought against Israel (andContinue reading “To See or Not To See?”

War and Peace

Paul tells the disciples at Ephesus not once, but twice, to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11,13). These words are part of a larger call to battle in what (by anyone’s point of view) is an extremely militaristic text. We’re to understand in no uncertain terms that there’s a war going on and we’re part ofContinue reading “War and Peace”

Romans and the Wrath of God

Romans has a lot to say about the wrath of God. In fact, the word is found there more than in any NT book other than Revelation. No one is surprised wrath is discussed in Revelation—but Romans? Isn’t Romans the book about God’s love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness? What’s a book like that doing talkingContinue reading “Romans and the Wrath of God”

The Call to Holiness

Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is a joy to read for anyone involved in the ministry of the word in any form. The disciples there had a passion for the Lord. They imitated those who had taught them and “welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering” (1:6, see also 2:13). They said soContinue reading “The Call to Holiness”

How Great is our God

Through the paise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger” (Psalm 8:3). Psalm 8 is a psalm that resonates with us in our era of space exploration. We’ve put people on the moon, launched innumerable satellites, and even put huge telescopes like the HubbleContinue reading “How Great is our God”

How do we see Hardship? (2)

Treating hardships as one-dimensional, one-size-fits-all occurrences that need to be prayed away ASAP is neither healthy nor holy. The biblical witness encourages us to view them as unique, layered, and existing for reasons we are often unable to understand. Our assignment is to, by faith, respond to them in a way that brings glory andContinue reading “How do we see Hardship? (2)”

How do we see Hardship? (1)

The first land battle of the Civil War was the Battle of Bull Run in Manassas, Virginia. It’s sometimes referred to as the “Picnic Battle.” After the capture of Fort Sumter by Confederate forces in April, both the North and the South had been enlisting men and building their armies. Nonetheless, many thought the conflictContinue reading “How do we see Hardship? (1)”

Reflecting on Jesus’ Passion

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:15) The Passion of the Christ, the passion play—mostContinue reading “Reflecting on Jesus’ Passion”