Distorting the Truth Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth? John 18.37-38, NRSV I won’t belabor the point because a lot of scholars have already made the point. Postmodernity looks a lot like the First Century. When... Read more
The Year But the land that you are crossing over to occupy is a land of hills and valleys, watered by rain from the sky, a land that the Lord your God looks after. The eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Deuteronomy 11.11-12, NRSV The Early Church Fathers are seemingly silent on this verse. When they are silent, I usually approach a Text with caution. However, I did mention... Read more
Is This Yesterday’s News? The world is a funny place I don’t know what to think of it Catastrophes, wars, famines Yet it’s business as usual For us in America Who’s popular on social media? Who won the game? Who’s running for office? I hope 2024 increases our awareness For at least our allies in the world It’s not really that bad Or is it? When you think about it Suffering is a foreign concept We can’t seem to grasp... Read more
Merry Christmas 2023 “When peace like a river attendeth my way…” It’s not a Christmas carol. Nevertheless, the words have been ringing in my spirit. I find myself at rest this Christmas, despite the struggles that I face. Life decisions are excruciating at times. There seems to be no clear answer. I want to thrive and live the abundant life, but life decisions get in the way. Thankfully, there has been an abundance of peace. At the heart of the... Read more
The Struggle to Not Look Back ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’ Luke 9.62, NRSV I’m aware of the story of Orpheus, a tragedy, a Classical Greek tale. Apparently there are a couple versions. It is tragic because Orpheus looks back. Honestly, the tale is easier to figure out than the poetry of Sara Bareilles… and she is a poet. She does things with her words few... Read more
Texts for Tonight | Joy These Scriptures were part of my morning read a couple days ago. I feel like I’m the last one to testify about joy right now, unless joy is understood at a deeper level. All who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy… for all who follow my ways are joyful… Joyful are those who listen to me Psalm 22.26; Proverbs 8.32,34, NLT Dante Bowe Joyful To view in YouTube CLICK... Read more
Texts for Tonight | Waiting Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. Psalm 69.1-3, NRSV Russ Taff Down in the Lowlands To listen on YouTube CLICK ‘And now, my children, listen to me: happy... Read more
Texts for Tonight I never post only Scripture, but tonight is a good night to do so… “O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, Behold, I will set your stones in antimony,… Isaiah 54.11-17 I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent against you. Joel 2.25 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as... Read more
Repentance, Peace, and Limited Atonement The other day, I was in the throes of a process of repentance. Repentance is nothing new for me, and it certainly is not uncommon. Repentance simply means turning direction, and I turn direction multiple times a day. For some reason though on that day I felt a strong conviction, and was working through it in prayer. At a loss for words, I finally spoke in what I would call a Theological sense. “Father, would... Read more
Do I Need a Confirmation? Sometimes I wish God would just confirm something. I mean, I’m not Gideon, and there’s nothing wrong with Gideon, but I would just like a confirmation. Is the idea of getting a confirmation even in the Bible, other than Gideon? I could sure use a confirmation. In the Hebrew Bible they didn’t yet have Jesus Christ living on the inside. They needed signs to serve as a confirmation of their path. There was only one... Read more
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