“And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day” (Gen. 1:5). In the story of creation, have you ever wondered why each day concludes with the words, “And there was evening, and there was morning”? Wouldn’t a day be morning then evening? Have you especially wondered why this phrase occurs the first day,…
Category: The cross
Learning Despair
The following is an excerpt from Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray. *** Once more: these disciples were men who had been led to despair of themselves. At the beginning of their three years’ class of instruction they had to give up all they possessed; but it was only at the end of that time that they began to…
The Rejected King
Sketch by Patrick Murphy Below is an excerpt from “Despising the Lamb” a booklet that will soon be available at The Voice of One. *** Samuel led Israel until he was old. His sons were dishonest and greedy (1 Sam. 8:1-3). The elders of Israel approached Samuel and said, “[A]ppoint a king to judge us the same as all…
The Defeat of Islamic Fanatics
Last week, a friend asked an interesting question: What did I think about ISIS and the situation in Iraq? What did I think God was doing or allowing in Iraq? Had I blogged on this topic? I confessed: Other than being grieved by ISIS’s crimes, I hadn’t given the topic a lot of thought or blogged…
Yard Sale Theology
My wife co-ran a yard sale recently. One item for sale was a small decorative cross. My wife planned to sell it for 25 cents. Before she could price it she noticed a man looking at it. Subtlely, he removed a 50 cent sticker from a neighboring item and placed it on the cross. My…
The Fruitlessness of the Cross
The following is excerpted from a booklet I am close to finishing–Despising the Lamb: Pictures of Contempt in First Samuel *** First Samuel opens with a story about Elkanah and his wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Hannah was unable to have children. Peninnah bore children for Elkanah and smugly needled Hannah about it: “Her…
Behold–Guest Post by Cameron Fultz
Today’s post features Cameron Fultz. Cameron has done guest spots on The Voice of One before. One post featured his book Jesus Pictures. This book asks us to look at scripture with new eyes, eyes opened by the Holy Spirit, eyes that see Jesus pictured in every biblical narrative. If you’ve ever felt like Bible study…
Five Celebrity Preachers Who Ignored Osteen’s Advice–Hans Fiene
I’d like to share a hilarious (not to mention true) article my wife stumbled upon the other day. It’s by Hans Fiene, Lutheran pastor and creator of Lutheran Satire. Mr. Fiene uses delicious irony to deliver a corrective perspective. I have the beginning below. I encourage you to read the entire article! ### “Not all celebrity…
Incomprehensible Union
Some good thoughts on the Lord’s supper from Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin… *** But as this mystery of the secret union of Christ with believers is incomprehensible by nature, he exhibits its figure and image in visible signs adapted to our capacity…. We now, therefore, understand the end which this mystical blessing has…
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