December 22, 2021

“Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?” Many Christmas carols mention, or even focus on, Mary the mother of Jesus. But Protestants would be hard-pressed to recall any significant teaching on her beyond the Christmas season. They just aren’t that into her. But, is that fair? In our haste to downplay Mary, what benefits have we missed? Protestants’ Problem with Mary The early church held Mary in great respect. In the first few... Read more

December 14, 2021

The fourth of five posts in a series exploring the stories of the women, and their men, included in Jesus’s genealogy. Most folks know the story of David and Bathsheba. It’s sordid, even by biblical standards, and especially cringe-worthy for the chosen king of God’s chosen people. But there she is, mentioned in the sixth verse of the New Testament. Why on earth would the Gospel-writer—chronicling the life of Jesus of Nazareth to show he was the rightful king of... Read more

December 7, 2021

Ruth and Boaz standing in a field, making eyes over stalks of wheat . . . Ruth and Boaz on the threshing floor, making plans to marry as she scuttles out the door.  It’s a popular practice to see the tale of Ruth, the foreign widow who pledged loyalty to her grieving mother-in-law, as a rags-to-riches romance. After all, she meets the man of her (and every girl’s) dreams—he’s rich, generous, and kind—who finds a way to rescue her from... Read more

November 29, 2021

Each year I make a book-reading goal on Goodreads near or over triple digits. What kind of person can read approximately 100 books in a year? A writer / editor / professional reviewer. I know. It’s unfair. This year’s genre choices mirror those of 2020 since my research for a writing project—which involved copious amounts of reading—spilled over through August. So, yes, you’ll see some theology books, but I also found time for more devotional reading and the usual fiction... Read more

November 24, 2021

As we gather around our tables with family and/or friends this week, thanksgiving and gratitude dominate (or should!) our hearts. But often we do not have the words sufficient to express our thoughts and feelings. Somewhat like the Anglicans have the Book of Common Prayer, which holds ancient prayers we can read at any time, I’ve gathered here a (much less-illustrious) collection of old and new prayers of thanksgiving. Perhaps one will stand out to you for reading aloud before... Read more

November 16, 2021

It takes more than a talkative person with opinions to create a podcast worth listening to. Podcast hosts must know their material and their audience, invest in quality equipment, and take time to prepare for interviews. The good ones don’t overload listeners with too much information but manage to engage and inform with each episode. The best ones make you laugh, too. Meet a duo who hit all the right notes in their first season of the Bad Seminarians Podcast.... Read more

November 11, 2021

Welcome Andy Moyes, a student at Dallas Theological Seminary. I think you’ll appreciate hearing how he heard God’s voice regarding his future. I’ve only driven this dusty road twice before. I had to stop at the one-pump gas station to get directions. Now I see the stoic lines of granite on the hillside. The August sun bakes the earth, but a lively breeze makes it almost pleasant. It takes a bit of searching but I find my destination. Who knew... Read more

November 9, 2021

Rahab of Jericho is famously infamous for her occupation. How did a madam journey from the doomed walls of a pagan city to the sanctified tents of Israel’s leading family? One part drama, another part adventure, Rahab’s resurrection has much to teach us today. Setting the Stage After the sons of Jacob settled in Egypt with their lost-now-found, right-hand-to-Pharoah brother, Joseph (Genesis 48–50), their descendants multiplied and flourished. When the book of Exodus opens, however, “a new Pharoah arose who... Read more

November 1, 2021

Congratulations to the authors and publishers of this year’s Christy Award winners, announced Thursday, October 28, in an online format. The ceremony featured Dallas Jenkins, producer and director of the hit series The Chosen, and his literary agent Steve Laube. BOOK OF THE YEAR The Edge of Belonging, Amanda Cox Revell/ Baker Publishing Group CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE Stay with Me, Becky Wade Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group FIRST NOVEL The Edge of Belonging, Amanda Cox Revell/ Baker Publishing Group GENERAL FICTION The... Read more

October 25, 2021

Advent approaches and, with it, my thoughts turn to the lineage of Christ. Who were those significant people listed in Matthew 1? And why were five women, specifically, mentioned by name? This post is the first in a series exploring the stories of those women—and the men paired with them. The story of Judah and Tamar notoriously confounds preachers—how does Genesis 38 fit within the context of Joseph’s saga, chapters 37–50, and how can a story full of sexual sin... Read more


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