I was studying John 4:1-26. As usual, at some point in the process, I consulted a few commentaries. I was surprised to find two significant disagreements on two mundane details of the text. Disagreement One "And he had to pass through Samaria" (John 4:4, ESV). Disagreement Two "Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting … [Read more...] about Beware Extrabiblical Whizbang
Preach It, Preach It, Preach It
To a chapel full of seminarians, Haddon Robinson stood up to preach a sermon from Romans 4:5, "And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness..." (ESV). It was the fall of 2003. Twenty-three-year-old me was sitting in the balcony, a first year, first semester student at Gordon-Conwell Theological … [Read more...] about Preach It, Preach It, Preach It
Youth Is Not a Time
A beautiful reflection from my grandmother whose faith is now sight... The Attitude of Youth by Jane G Jones Youth is not a time of life — it is a state of mind, a product of imagination, a vigor of the emotions, a predominance of courage over timidity, an appetite for adventure. Nobody grows old by living a number of years. People grow old when they desert their … [Read more...] about Youth Is Not a Time
Matthew 7.13-20
Introduction We continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount. And today, we begin its conclusion. Jesus has been presenting his Kingdom and his Kingdom ways. But now it is time to decide. Jesus will begin to draw a line in the sand today. It’s time for us to decide if we want the Kingdom. For the next several sections, he will ask us to choose, and this decision point, this … [Read more...] about Matthew 7.13-20
Joy and Privilege of Busyness
The toll of too much busyness can be catastrophic... to our health, to our relationships, and to our faith. But a type of busyness is welcome. "Like Martha in scripture, it is easy to feel resentment because we seem to be doing all the work while others are getting more of a free ride...That is the feeling that can weigh us down for long periods during our adult years, … [Read more...] about Joy and Privilege of Busyness