Posts from 2017 (Page 5)

For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him. (Isaiah 64:4) Our only satisfaction can be found in the Glory and Grace of God. Wondrously He reveals Himself unquestionably through His creation and His word, and even more He freely gives Himself to us. We need to start…

Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly (Exodus 19:18) Chapter 19 of Exodus is simply Grand. In this interaction between God and His people we can see His Glory thunder forth. Certainly the consumption in fire and the trembling of the…

“But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” (Romans 9:20) I read the Bible every single day. I have done so for the last 8 years. I’m neither high minded, spiritual, or special; I just happen to be really good at routine. I only share my personal habit, because – even after years of study…

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul… (Deuteronomy 10:12) I am going to go out on a limb, one that might not be too far. I am going to say that in the Church we disdain the ideal behind the term servant. We could…

“I am God, the God of your father,” the voice said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation.” (Genesis 46:3) A brief understanding. The aforementioned verse is drawn out of a conversation between God and Jacob before Jacob went to Egypt to meet Joseph and eventually reside in Egypt. I will make your…

Ernest Hemingway wrote several brilliant short stories concerning the Spanish Civil War. I forget which exactly contains the story of an old man left behind in a retreat from Franco’s army, the old man cannot keep up and stops. After a brief interaction a young officer asks him, “what are your…

I would like to borrow from Tennyson’s poem Ulysses. This will be brief and I think there is a tremendous value here: I am a part of all that I have met; Yet all experience is an arch wherethro’ Gleams that untravell’d world whose margin fades For ever and forever when I move. How dull…

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭5:7‬) Karl Barth wrote, “rightly understood there are no Christians, there is only the opportunity to become a Christian”. There is much to discuss here of which I am not capable. But I think the idea should influence our…

“Then Sarai said to Abram, “My wrong be upon you! I gave my maid into your embrace; and when she saw that she had conceived, I became despised in her eyes. The LORD judge between you and me.”” (Genesis 16:5 NKJV) Never doubt that the Bible is full of drama and intrigue. Here is the story in Genesis Chapter 16: the Lord has told Abram that he will bear more descendants…

Consider something with me for a second. To what extent do you dislike being labeled and defined in negative terms? Lazy, stubborn, dumb, or mean as examples. Now consider the inverse, to what extent to you enjoy and seek to be labeled in positive terms? Hardworking, reasonable, smart, or kind as examples. It is an interesting exercise and I think most of us should…