Batting Cleanup

I’m delighted that God forgives me.  The fact that the blood of Jesus cleanses every sin is precious (1 John 1:7).  That said, sometimes I feel like a sin factory.  Even if I  apply the blood of Jesus 70 times seven times a day, it gets discouraging.  In fact, it gets worse than discouraging.  It…

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The Most High Priest

Moses said to Aaron, “Sacrifice the offering that is for the people and make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded.” Aaron then brought the offering that was for the people. As they led him away, a large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Then he lifted…

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Where Sword Edges Crash

Joseph’s name means “He adds” or “Add to” and was a prayer of Rachel’s: “May the LORD add another son to me” (Gen. 30:24). Jacob agreed to work seven years in exchange for Rachel.  Joseph’s birth coincided with the completion of that seven years. The timing of these things is significant. Jacob asked Laban to…

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A Testament of Devotion

About two years ago I was introduced to Christian Quakerism through the writings of its founder, George Fox.  I found Fox’s focus on the indwelling Christ spiritually rich.  I went on to read An Apology for the True Christian Divinity by Robert Barclay.  This was the first systematic presentation of Quaker beliefs. For Christmas, I received…

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Fill in the Blank

Jerome (345-420 AD) was an early church father, scholar, and monk.  He is probably best known for his translation of the Bible into Latin (known as “The Vulgate” because Latin was the vulgar or common language). When Jerome was about 30 and a rising academic star, he had a dream that brought his star crashing…

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The Failed Christian Life

I have failed at being a Christian.  I have failed morally.  I have failed to be unselfish.  I don’t know if God is always first in my affections.  I’ve never prayed with anyone to receive Christ. My prayer and Bible study habits probably aren’t up to snuff.  In these, and many other ways, I have…

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Four Wills of the Cross…and Other News

Recently, I decided to take a blogging break.  It’s been awhile.  So for a few weeks, I won’t be posting.  It’s been kind of busy lately, and I haven’t had as much time.  Plus, I’ve dusted off some old projects that I’d like to give more focus.  Hence the blogging break. In the meantime, I’d…

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The Son—Come Hell or High Water

Genesis 29:14 through 30:24 tells how Jacob came to have wives and children. Jacob first works seven years to marry Rachel but his father-in-law, Laban, sneaks his older daughter, Leah, into Jacob’s tent on the wedding night. Jacob is furious but receives Rachel also after celebrating his wedding to Leah for a week. Then there’s…

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Crosshairs

In the wake of the school shooting in Florida, social media is flooded (again) with memes, posts, articles, and factoids for or against guns. Personally, I see guns as one of many social scapegoats. A gun is a neutral thing, not intrinsically good or bad. It can only be as good or bad as the…

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Who Are You, Lord?

Lepicie, “Conversion of St. Paul” This post from a couple years ago is on my mind so I thought I’d repost. *** “Who are you, Lord?”  This was Paul’s question after Jesus struck him blind and stopped him in his tracks (Acts 9:1-5).  Paul was on his way to Damascus where he planned to continue…

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No Answer

Lately, I’ve been thinking about a couple phrases: “God answered my prayer” or “God didn’t answer my prayer.” It’s common to hear both of these. I’ve said them and heard others say them countless times. Let me preface the rest of this post: I’m not given to semantic arguments. Communication is an (often clumsy) art….

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Impossible People: Os Guinness

Recently, a group at church decided to read Impossible People by Os Guinness. I didn’t need a lot of convincing. Some liken him to C.S. Lewis because of his intellectual clarity on matters of faith. That sold me. Impossible People examines modernity’s challenge to Christian faith, a challenge Guinness believes is the most significant ever…

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