Church Life
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Neither Seasonal nor Optional
I understand that most of us are fairly (or quite) busy this week. We are doing things that, hopefully, will enable us to enjoy the day on our calendars designated as Thanksgiving Day. For that reason, I won’t write something here that will take much of your time to read. It might suggest something to all of us, though, that we might want to take some time to consider. The phrase I have in mind and which shall serve as the concussion to my thoughts is included in some very direct statements found in the Bible. None of them appear to be suggestions. During this time of the year, we…
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The Power of Music
Some of you reading this know that my life has been consumed with a theater production lately, as my daughter has been Maria in “The Sound of Music.” Although that has been an amazing experience and is related to the catalyst for this article [read exhaustion], it is not the inspiration. Last week, the only time I could fit my monthly hair appointment in was at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. For those of you who know me, you know this was truly a sacrifice. I don’t give up my Saturday mornings for very many things … especially to be somewhere by 7:00. That morning, as I was driving, some…
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Week of November 18 “Into the Heart of the Bible” and “Something from the Margin of My Bible”
On “Into the Heart of the Bible,” Leah returns this week with an overview of the Patriarchal period of Bible history. She walks through the promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and also takes a few moments to remind you how Job fits into the Biblical narrative. (If the video is not displaying properly below, click here to watch on YouTube.) On “Something from the Margin of My Bible,” Adam shares a very brief note, but one that is very encouraging, from Romans 6:22. Click here to listen to the podcast episode.
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“We Have a Law”
During the time devoted to the Lord’s supper during our worship service each week, I have made it a practice to read something that keeps my mind focused on the unjust trials and the crucifixion of Jesus. Sometimes the material that I read is from a book of devotional thoughts I have downloaded on my iPad. Those thoughts are focused on those events. Most of the time, though, I am reading about those events from one of the gospel accounts. Recently, as I was reading from the Gospel of John, some words caught my attention. I had read them many times before, but they made more of an impact this…
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A Lesson Learned from Teaching the Song of Solomon
I’m only a couple of weeks away from finishing teaching a Bible class on the Song of Solomon. This is actually the second time I have taught through that book, and, while challenging, it is a joy. Since the book is quite short, we are able to throw in a few “special studies” on marriage, but they all come from the concepts found in that great love poem. Overall, though, the vast majority of the class is just going through the poem and being encouraged by what is there. It is interesting to me that, while Song of Solomon is “famous” for its very descriptive language, that part of the…
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Week of November 11: “Into the Heart of the Bible” and “Something from the Margin of My Bible”
This week, Leah took the week off to do some deeper study and preparation for the next period of Bible history. She’ll be back next week to continue her study! This is a great time to subscribe to her channel and catch up if you’re a week or two behind. The channel can be found here. On “Something from the Margin of My Bible,” Chance Hicks joined Adam to share some great thoughts on a text from Luke18. Click here to listen.
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Yet
I recently listened to a podcast that really challenged my thinking. A key word (at least to me) was “yet.” I’m not sure if the speaker used the word “agenda” in his podcast, but that is exactly what he was discussing. To be fair, our Lord used this word because He, indeed, had an agenda. That agenda was expressed in these words: Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, As it is written of me in the scroll of the book. (Heb. 10:7) Other passages could be consulted which would testify to the fact that Jesus knew his purpose, had a divinely determined “agenda,” and fulfilled His…
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Monumental?
There have been many adjectives used to describe this week’s election and the results. Before I go farther, this is not a political post no matter how the beginning sounds. As I drove to work on Wednesday morning, I considered the description listed as our title for today. I have some family members who love history and think it is just neat to have repeated something that has only happened one other time in our nation’s history – a president elected to serve 2 non-consecutive terms. The other was Grover Cleveland, a Democrat back in the late 1800s. (See, guys, I do pay some attention.) I know and love some…
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The Only Poll That Matters
Well, all the votes have been made. There’s no way to know as I write this if they have been counted yet, or even if we know the outcome. But the work of the public is done. For months, data has flowed. Hundreds upon hundreds of polls have been conducted. People have paid attention to markets, movements in geopolitics, the comments of pundits, and a seemingly endless avalanche of ads. I must admit, I’m a nerd for this stuff. I look at data for months on end because I find it tremendously interesting. From hundreds of polls to thousands of articles and posts, I’ve looked at data, just for my…
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Week of November 4 “Into the Heart of the Bible” and “Something from the Margin of My Bible”
This week on “Into the Heart of the Bible,” Leah takes a few minutes to walk ladies through the events and other valuable Bible study information about the period after the flood. (If the video below doesn’t display or work, click here to watch.) On the podcast “Something from the Margin of My Bible,” Adam shares a quick note from Leviticus, but with a very important modern-day application. Click here to listen.
