10:15 PM really isn’t that late, is it? After all, people stay up much later on a Saturday night. Not too long ago my family used to have pizza and a couple movies on Friday night, stay up late. So what is worth reading at this time of night? First, maybe I should ask what is worth listening to? Rejoice. An original song by Victory That’s what I’ve been doing all day for the last couple days. I’ve had my... Read more
We all want to thrive. Everyone wants to experience the best. We all want to experience “the good life.” However, there are times in life when we face what seems like insurmountable odds. There are times when we face suffering. It is in those times when we might discover that Jesus is our Rock. He is the firm foundation, day by day, always there to stand upon. From that firm foundation, there are times when we find ourselves not only... Read more
In this snapshot of my daily office I share some current, mundane Christian practices. I am in the middle of a trying time, struggling to say the least. Yet I have had assurance after assurance that everything will work out for the good, not only for me, but for the parties involved. So what do I do when I’m waiting? What do you do when you’re waiting? There are many things I could do, but for me it is good... Read more
“You will be caught by what you are trying to catch!” The words of a friend at work were playful, yet firm, as if she was convinced. Now that I’m away from the situation, looking back I can see where someone would not welcome these words. For instance, if I was trying to catch someone off guard, I certainly would not want to be caught off guard. If I was conspiring to entrap someone, I certainly would not want to... Read more
These are Texts anticipating daybreak, Texts speaking to me or others in the dark season before dawn. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 13.3 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. Luke 24.11 I... Read more
Why am I not a Reformed Protestant? There are many reasons really, but there is one major reason. I do not believe in double predestination. Hollyn Obvious? Predestination, and Reformed scholasticism, is more of a philosophy than it is a Theology. It’s a system of thinking about salvation, usually based on a couple of occurrences of the term in the New Testament. Predestination can mean a lot of things. Usually it refers to God’s salvation plan. In some way He... Read more
The story of Balaam can be found in Numbers 22-24 It is certainly a prophetic story that is unusual. Some scholars believe that Jethro, Job, and Balaam are all contemporaries. They are each Seers or Prophets in their respective regions, possibly also advisors to Pharaoh. Balaam seems to be the one who is most steeped in false religion. He openly practices divination, an alternative way of getting in touch with the spiritual realm. However, there are really not two spiritual realms.... Read more
These Texts are for today. Sometimes I need to encourage myself on Friday, heading into the weekend. Each heart knows it’s own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. Proverbs 14.10 Be still, and know that I am God! Psalm 46.10 After that generation, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. Judges 2.10 As your name deserves, O God, you will be praised to... Read more
I have yet to address healing. These are some preliminary thoughts and questions, perhaps serving to challenge our contemporary mindsets on healing. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years Luke 8.43, NRSV Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralysed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. John 5.2-5 What if God... Read more
A type foreshadows a person later revealed in Scripture. In the love story found in Genesis 24, there are at least 4 types. With my life circumstances, right now does not seem like a very good time to write about love. Nonetheless my oldest will get married this spring, so love is in the air. Ingrid Michaelson Jason Mraz Love Is This last Wednesday night I taught an overview of the book of Genesis. I’m especially struck by Genesis 24.... Read more
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