Genesis chapter four discusses Cain and Abel, Adam and Eve’s first sons. Cain means, “Acquired,” as Eve says, “With the LORD’s help I have acquired a male” (Gen. 4:1). Abel is derived from a word meaning, “Son.” Cain “worked the ground” and offered the Lord produce (Gen. 4:2-3). Abel offered firstborn animals (especially their fat…
Author: mrteague
Teague McKamey lives in Washington state with his wife and two children. Teague’s poetry has appeared in several journals and in self-published books. He blogs at thevoiceofone.org and awanderingminstrel.com. In all areas of life, Teague desires that Christ may be magnified in his body (Php. 1:20).
The Divine Plethora
Painting by Van Gough Jesus died and rose again. The entire Christian faith is comprehended in those few words. Easy to say but to know, to bow the soul without reserve before Reality…that is another matter. The Holy Spirit is gradually bringing our experience in line with Reality Himself. Scripture describes this as renewing the…
Sheep, Children, and Bumblebees
Scripture says we are sheep and need to be like children (John 10:14; Matt. 18:1-2). Neither of these are flattering images. Sheep must be led. I’ve heard sheep can’t care for themselves or find food and water without help. If this isn’t entirely true of sheep it’s definitely true of children. Kids are loved but…
New-Years-Resolution Christianity
January 1st marks the beginning of the new year in many countries. Some observe this holiday by making a new year’s resolution. A new year’s resolution is a promise to change something about your life (usually for the better). People resolve any number of things: to exercise more, to have better boundaries, to spend…
Prayers to Santa
Our local paper publishes letters to Santa written by children in the community. Here is one of the more hilarious examples: To Santu, Mii krismislist I wont usiinsset end a ulabkot u snacset. I wont to sekrokuoil huntr u skoodr bag. (No, your font isn’t scrambled. I typed it exactly as written). The letters cover…
The Manger and the Cross
“It was not so much that His birth cast a shadow on His life, and thus led to His death; it was rather that the Cross was there from the beginning, and it cast its shadow backward to His birth.” —Fulton Sheen, Life of Christ
Scripture vs. Tradition
Scripture versus tradition…. Most of us have heard something of this debate, which goes like this: Does scripture or tradition hold higher authority for Christians? For some, scripture is the obvious answer. Jesus lambasted the Pharisees because tradition caused them to violate God’s word (Matt. 15:3). Paul also warned the Colossians about the “empty deceit…
I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’ for Christmas
Last December, I had to discipline my four year old son. (I can’t even remember why). I could not have guessed what happened next. He teared up and asked if he would still get Christmas presents. I was shocked. My wife and I *never* leveraged Christmas gifts to get our kids to behave. Why…
Keeping Thanksgiving–Dennis Patrick
The following is a piece by my father-in-law, Dennis Patrick. Dennis writes a weekly column called “The Passing Scene,” which appears in the Mountrail County Promoter. “Keeping Thanksgiving” appeared in the November 23 edition of The Promoter. *** Halloween 2015 is history and it’s time again when kids dress up like Pilgrims, adults over indulge and everyone…
Our Favorite Whipping Boy
But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews?” (Gal. 2:14). Peter (AKA Cephas)…. It’s always Peter, right? All…
The Voice of One 