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Short & Pithy Wisdom on Decision-Making (from Anonymous Sermon Notes)

June 9, 2011

I’ve been performing a mass reorganization and clutter-cleanse over the last week and have been discovering all sorts of gold. Tonight I came across these unnamed, undated sermon notes with the working title, “Making Biblical Choices & Good Decisions.” I don’t mean to plagiarize, and while I do have several guesses about who the preacher might have … More Short & Pithy Wisdom on Decision-Making (from Anonymous Sermon Notes)

How the Psalms Encourage Evangelism

June 8, 2011

In reading through the Psalms recently (especially 130-150), the Holy Spirit showed me that the Psalms can provide powerful motivation and encouragement for evangelism. Although the psalmists wrote mostly from the come-and-see mentality of ancient Israel, their desire was the same ultimate desire that we see expressed throughout Scripture: the pure, worldwide worship of the one true God. Here … More How the Psalms Encourage Evangelism

11 Characteristics of the Author of Hebrews by Robert Thomas

June 7, 2011

The identity of the unnamed author of Hebrews has been discussed for centuries. In discussions like these, it can be helpful (as long as it’s not overdone) to identify likely characteristics of the author based on writing, context, theology, intercanonical connections, and other legitimate categories. Long-time New Testament professor Robert Thomas provided these eleven “facts” on … More 11 Characteristics of the Author of Hebrews by Robert Thomas

Wise Thoughts on Corporate Singing & Song Selection

June 6, 2011

Here are some wise and seasoned words on corporate singing and song selection from William Gadsby and J. C. Philpot. These quotes appear in the dual prefaces to Gadsby’s Hymns: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship (chosen by William Gadsby), originally published in 1838. With the glut of worship songs being produced today and … More Wise Thoughts on Corporate Singing & Song Selection

“Dark Girls” Preview

June 3, 2011

If you think that white-black, black-white, and black-black ethnic tensions are a thing of the past, a closed chapter of history; if you’re willfully insulated into the view that everyone just needs to “get over it”; or if you still have a hard time acknowledging or accepting the deep and complex intricacies of the African American struggle both in our nation and … More “Dark Girls” Preview

When the Pastor Falls: Lessons from Church Scandals & Blind Loyalty

June 2, 2011

“Why People Stick by Scandal-Plagued Pastors” by CNN’s John Blake is a brief foray into the blind loyalty that many knowing parishioners maintain toward their scandalized pastors. Sue Thompson, a public speaker herself, has been burned before. She explains that followers often build a “spiritual firewall” around their pastors so that reasonable suspicions and legitimate … More When the Pastor Falls: Lessons from Church Scandals & Blind Loyalty

Secret Sins and the Resignation of Jim Tressel

June 1, 2011

Jim Tressel, long-revered coach and field general of the Ohio State Buckeyes football program, resigned on Monday after a lengthy saga of unraveling details regarding NCAA violations. Time and truth go hand in hand, so the sporting world must wait, as it often must, for the full revelation. I’m nauseated by those who turn every … More Secret Sins and the Resignation of Jim Tressel

This Is Why

May 31, 2011

This is why. This is why you should beware of starting sentences with “this.” When you do this, your meaning will be somewhat vague. When you don’t do this, your meaning will be more clear. “But wait,” the grammar cop objects, “this is only unclear because you started the entire post with an antecedent-less ‘this.’” My … More This Is Why

“Greater Joy” by Amy Carmichael

May 30, 2011

It was a great full moon That hung low in the west, But the dear little birds sang everywhere, And the unborn dayspring blest. Not one singing bird could be seen, But every bush and brier Was astir with the sound of the music they made, That sweet invisible choir. The hills in the wonderful … More “Greater Joy” by Amy Carmichael

Bargaining with God (Matthew 20:1-16)

April 26, 2011

In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells a story about a landowner who hired laborers to work his vineyard for a day. Jesus was responding to Peter’s question about what kind of reward he and the other disciples would have since they had made such great sacrifices to join Jesus in his mission (19:27), in contrast to the rich young ruler who had … More Bargaining with God (Matthew 20:1-16)

King on a Cross: “What I Have Written I Have Written”

April 23, 2011

The crucifixion account in the Gospel of John is full of glorious irony. In fact, John’s entire narrative, along with the discourses of Jesus, are filled with striking ironies, stark contrasts, and deeper meanings. The story whispers to those who have ears to hear. By John 19:16, the mockery of Jesus’ hasty trial had come to an … More King on a Cross: “What I Have Written I Have Written”

The New Internet Democracy

April 19, 2011

Which GAP logo do you like better? Don’t think your opinion doesn’t matter. Six months ago, in what is now old news, GAP changed its traditional logo but reversed course after encountering an outpouring of opposition. MSNBC called the response anything from “wondering” to “buzz” to “outrage.” The new internet democracy is a force to be reckoned with. We … More The New Internet Democracy

The Prophet and the Poet

April 18, 2011

It can take some time in life to figure yourself out. We grow up wanting to be like our heroes, but can’t quite figure out what made them tick, or if we’ve got it in us to tick the same way. We stumble through the latter years of youth looking for affirmation in all the wrong places, … More The Prophet and the Poet

Life Is Short… So Don’t Waste It?

February 25, 2011

“Life is short.” You hear it all the time. You hear it all the time despite all our western attempts to look young, stay young, and never grow up, and despite our over-realized sense of national invincibility. The ticking clock, the greying hair, the growing children, and the changing times all remind us that our … More Life Is Short… So Don’t Waste It?

The Verses We Skipped

December 31, 2010

The Bible is full of Cinderella verses — plain-looking, hard-working, easily-ignored verses that will one day be unveiled at the grand eschatological ball, blowing us all away with their beauty and significance. It won’t just be the atheists and the agnostics and the rebels standing aghast and amazed at these unveiled truths. We will all realize just how … More The Verses We Skipped

Anna’s Hope

December 10, 2010

Of all the things we dream of being, an eighty-four year-old widowed prophetess fasting throughout the day and praying deep into the night is not high on the list. Not many of us would choose Anna as our model. But what a precious, old, soft-hearted woman who must’ve been a joy for heaven to welcome … More Anna’s Hope