This past weekend, I wrote a piece for the religion column of our local paper. The following is an excerpt with a link to the full article *** Two years ago, I introduced my daughter to Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. We read the book then watched some film versions. The 2009 animated version (with Jim…
Category: The Gospel
God Has the Last Laugh
In Genesis 18, the Lord (in the form of 3 men) visits Abraham. The Lord restates His promise that Abraham will have a son by Sarah and says this will happen in a year (Gen. 18:10). When Sarah hears this, she laughs: “After I have become shriveled up and my lord is old, will I…
The AMEN
“The Messiah” is a piece of music by George Frideric Handel for chorus and orchestra. It is traditionally performed during the Christmas season. The words all come from scripture. Charles Jennens selected the verses and arranged their order. Beginning with old testament passages, the lyrics tell the story of Christ: from prophecies to His passion,…
A Cut Above the Rest
“This is My covenant, which you are to keep, between Me and you and your offspring after you: Every one of your males must be circumcised. You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskin to serve as a sign of the covenant between Me and you” (Gen. 17:10-11). Genesis 17 introduces circumcision. The flesh of…
Surrogate
Genesis 16 tells the story of Abram and Hagar, Sarai’s slave. In chapter 15, we saw God’s promise to Abram: “one who comes from your own body will be your heir” (Gen. 15:4). We don’t know how much time elapsed between the giving of the promise and the events of chapter 16. It simply opens…
Gremlins, Leeches, and the Failure of the Serenity Prayer
I have a toddler. Anyone who has raised one knows it is among the most exhausting things you will ever do. They are in constant motion—usually in the wrong direction. Whether toward danger or irresponsibility they jigger gigglingly toward it. Toddlers survive because parents constantly jerk their verbal leashes and, sometimes, their literal…
Head Covering
While wandering the internet I stumbled across a blog advocating that women cover their heads. Naturally, 1 Corinthians 11:5-6 was the author’s text— But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since that is one and the same as having her head shaved. So if a woman’s head is not…
The Life-Driven Purpose
Jesus has been emphasizing His indwelling. He is relating more and more of spiritual life to this reality. Lately, the Lord has been defining purpose by His indwelling. Jesus living within is my entire purpose and your entire purpose. Purpose is not found in ministries, activities, or occupations. We may be called to these things…
I am, He Is
I am in the One of whom the Father said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). He pleases the Father in me. I am in the One who died to sin and now lives to God (Rom. 6:10-11). He is dead to sin and lives to…
Kickin’ around in My Head Today
I trust God’s mercy more than my judgments. (James 2:13).
The Voice of One 