When Peter wrote to the Jewish disciples dispersed in the five Roman provinces of Asia Minor (present day Turkey), he told them that even though they hadn’t seen Jesus (as he had), they loved and believed in Him. As a result, they were filled with an “inexpressible and glorious joy” (1:8). It’s that word “inexpressible”Continue reading “Too Wonderful for Words”
Tag Archives: Jesus
Thinking about Reverence
There’s something about Jesus’ cleansing of the temple that is startling. It seems out of character with Him, but it’s not. It’s simply out of character with the Jesus we have created—the One who accepts everybody and everything and makes no demands on anyone. Let me suggest if Jesus was really like that no oneContinue reading “Thinking about Reverence”
Living out the Story
Submission is a word that is offensive to many. It speaks of oppression, abuse and other relational evils. Unfortunately, there’s too much truth to that take. People have abused power and privilege in relationships from the beginning of time. We are all all-too-familiar with the sad stories we have heard too frequently from too manyContinue reading “Living out the Story”
Great in God’s Way
We had the opportunity to travel to Greece several years ago. Our youngest daughter was there as part of an international study program associated with Harding University. Their Greek campus was located just outside of Athens, so we were able to go to the city a few times and see many of its sites (including the Acropolis).Continue reading “Great in God’s Way”
Aah . . . Hope
The Assyrian king, Tiglath-Pileser III, stormed into the Mediterranean region and by 732 BC he had broken the Aramean-Israel alliance and captured Damascus. Northern Israel (i.e., the cities of Galilee) fell next, followed by Gilead. Following Assyrian custom, the people were deported and foreigners were brought in to occupy the land. (Conquered lands were much easier to controlContinue reading “Aah . . . Hope”
Who is on Your Road?
When Jesus told the story of the Samaritan, His immediate purpose was to provide an answer to the disingenuously posed question, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). The expert in the law (v. 25), was seeking to have his indifference toward others excused on the grounds that neighbor was too ambiguous of a term. It couldn’t beContinue reading “Who is on Your Road?”
To Judge or not to Judge?
“Don’t judge!” As much as anything else, this has been our culture’s mantra for last generation. We’re so emphatic about it that I saw a meme of a little girl pointing an accusing finger at Santa Claus and saying, “Naughty or nice, huh? STOP JUDGING ME!” Even Santa has been taken down by popular culture.Continue reading “To Judge or not to Judge?”
Thinking About Community (3)
It was John Donne who said, “No man is an island, entire of itself . . . Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” The language of Mr. Donne may be antiquated but the truth he spokeContinue reading “Thinking About Community (3)”
The Power of the Table
Gregg Popovich is the coach of the San Antonio Spurs, an NBA basketball team. To say that he is successful would be an understatement. Consider the following: He has coached the team since 1996—that’s longer than any other current coach in professional basketball, football or hockey. He has more wins with the Spurs than anyContinue reading “The Power of the Table”
The Second Mile Attitude
I remember watching an NFL playoff game between Seattle and Minnesota. The game was in Minneapolis and the temperature at game time was – 6! (It did warm up during the game to at least -2). Most of the players (especially the offensive and defensive lineman) were wearing short sleeves. Part of the reason forContinue reading “The Second Mile Attitude”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 