Promised Land!

Ed Wharton, is a follower of Jesus who has given his life to sharing the good news as well as equipping others to do so. Recently, Ed learned he has leukemia. At 94, he made the decision to forego chemo and other treatments and went into hospice care. He commented that he didn’t understand whyContinue reading “Promised Land!”

Some Thoughts on Inspiration

Paul tells us all Scripture is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and we believe that.  But what does that mean? One answer has to do with origin—it means the Scripture ultimately comes from God rather than man. This is Peter’s point in 2 Peter 1:19-21. Even in instances where the writer “carefully investigated” his subject matterContinue reading “Some Thoughts on Inspiration”

In the Presence of My Enemies

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Most of us are familiar with this verse from Psalm 23. It’s part of the description of what God does for us as our Shepherd. Specifically, it speaks to how He brings abundance into our lives—even to the point of preparing a feastContinue reading “In the Presence of My Enemies”

The Rescue of Rahab (1)

If we’re looking at Joshua 6, the fall of Jericho is usually the featured attraction, and for good reason. The chapter is certainly framed that way and it’s in keeping with the overall narrative that is being developed in the book of Joshua—Israel possessing and taking Canaan in fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham (GenesisContinue reading “The Rescue of Rahab (1)”

The Rescue of Rahab (2)

Rahab as a child of God (a person of faith) In the second act of our movie, we would flashback to Rahab’s conversation with the two spies. This time we would include her talking about her faith in God when she says, “For the Lord Your God is God of heaven above and earth below”Continue reading “The Rescue of Rahab (2)”

The Reaching Hand of the Flawed Man

The psalms are different than the bulk of Scripture in that they are the record of people speaking to God rather than God speaking to people. Under the guidance and oversight of the Spirit, they have become part of the biblical witness. That doesn’t mean everything in them is in line with God’s will orContinue reading “The Reaching Hand of the Flawed Man”

Solar Panel Living

I was playing disc golf with a friend. We’d played at this particular course several times. I said something to my friend about the solar panels that lined the particular stretch we were on. They were mounted on light poles—just above the lights and I said something to the effect that it seemed like aContinue reading “Solar Panel Living”

Body, Blood, Bread & Cup

I was out for a walk early one Sunday morning. I used the time to pray and think about what I would be doing in a few hours—gathering with other disciples and taking the Lord’s Supper. Since I tend to be a bit of a word nerd, I found myself thinking about the words associatedContinue reading “Body, Blood, Bread & Cup”

Getting in Line

This is a Fiddle Leaf Fig (FLF)—and this particular plant has quite a story. We acquired it more than 30 years ago when someone sent it for my father’s funeral. After the service, when the flowers and greenery were being parceled out, someone offered it to us and we took it. It was maybe aContinue reading “Getting in Line”

I’ve Been to Church!

In Psalms, there is the principle I like to think of as the “I’ve been to church” principle. (Yes, I know disciples are “the church,” but there is also something to the idea of  “coming together as a church” – 1 Corinthians 11:18 and I’m after something like that here).  You’ve “been to church” when you’veContinue reading “I’ve Been to Church!”