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

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

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

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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 Verses We Skipped

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

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