Mallory Patrick has been a guest writer on The Voice of One. Mallory is my sister-in-law and founder of Gathered Fragments Book Sanctuary. Gathered Fragments seeks to preserve books of all times and places that present Christ crucified. Recently, Mallory launched a podcast called “The Newness of Spirit.” If your heart is hungry for spirit-given teaching about…
Category: The cross
Esther’s Gethsemane (Part 2)
Please read part one: https://thevoiceofone.org/2021/08/19/esthers-gethsemane-part-1/ See a video of this message starting at the 20 minute mark In part one, we saw that Esther has effectively given up her life to save her people, just as Jesus did. After three days of fasting and prayer, Esther goes to king Ahasuerus. She wins his approval, and…
Esther’s Gethsemane (Part 1)
Our church is studying Esther. When it was my turn to share, I covered from the end of chapter two to the first part of chapter five. (See a video of my message here. The sermon starts at about the 20 minute mark). Esther opens with King Ahasuerus (AKA Xerxes) hosting a lavish feast. During…
God Is…Cuddly?
This week, I saw “God is love” posted on a church’s reader board. Enough said, right? Not quite. Let’s just say this denomination (at least in America) has christened things that the Bible says are sin. When they say “God is love,” it means something closer to, “God is cuddly, and permissive.” Given that they…
Good Grip
Hebrews 5 continues talking about Jesus, our high priest, who sympathizes with our weaknesses. Other high priests could be compassionate since they were weak like those they ministered to; they also needed sacrifice to repair their relationship with God. Jesus was not fallen; He wasn’t subject to a nature that is prone to sin. He…
Out of Weakness
“…who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight” (Heb. 11:33-34, ESV). On Easter Sunday, before church, I was thinking about how weak I feel…
What Is This Thing Called Love?
The following is a column I had published in the religion section of our local paper. It ran about 7 years ago but has been on my heart, so I thought I’d share it. *** Love…. What is it? I’m told it’s in the air. The Beatles say it’s all you need. Some say, “Make…
Happy
Much of Hebrews chapter 3 centers on a quote from Psalm 95, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness….” Psalm 95 is referring to an incident in Exodus 17. Israel’s wilderness journey brings them to Rephidim where there…
When the Wind Blows
In December, I finished a new CD of songs the Lord has given me over the years. The album is called, “Poured Out” and centers on themes of communion—the Lord pouring Himself out at the cross as well as our participation in His death and life. The bread and wine of communion ceremonies depict these…
Out, Damn’d Spot!
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless“ (Eph. 5:25-27). Our pastor…
