A few years ago, a family member gave me a book called, The Beauty of Jesus (published in 1904). It is a compilation of sermons preached by Reverend George Elliott in the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, Detroit, Michigan. Since receiving the book, it has sat on a bookshelf. But I found that the title caught my…
Category: Discipleship
Once and for All—Lauren Daigle
A couple weeks ago, the song, “Once and for All” by Lauren Daigle shuffled onto my i-Tunes playlist. I have been unable to get it out of my head since. It is a vulnerable song about resigning to the Lord. Songs like this are always meaningful but I find it particularly relevant at this season…
Struggling and Prevailing (Part 2)
Please read part one before continuing… Jacob named the place he wrestled with God, “Face of God,” adding that he saw God’s face and was delivered (Gen. 32:30). In a sense, seeing God’s face and dislocating his hip were of a piece. Said another way, Jacob’s hip was dislocated because he saw God’s face. We…
Struggling and Prevailing (Part 1)
In fear of meeting his brother, Esau, Jacob sent his family away. That night, alone, he wrestled with a man until daybreak (Gen. 32:24-32). The man touched Jacob’s thigh at the hip and put it out of joint. He told Jacob to release him but Jacob refused, saying he wanted a blessing. The man told…
Parting Ways
As Jacob increased in wealth, he came into conflict with Laban (Gen. 31:1-2). We’ve seen that Jacob’s increase was the increase of what is spiritual and that this leads to escalating conflict with what is fallen and fleshly. God doesn’t let this conflict go on indefinitely. God told Jacob to leave Laban. He brought separation…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
