Desert Flower

Flowers mentioned in the Old Testament have often been used as images of Jesus. “Lily of the valley” and ”the rose of Sharon” come to mind. I haven’t done an in depth study on seeing Christ in the flora of the Bible. But I’m sure it would be interesting. Below is a poem I wrote…

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No Sacrifice Is Left

 Hebrews 10:26 has struck fear in many a heart over the years.  Some say it proves Jesus’s sacrifice only covers sins committed before we convert.  After that, salvation depends on us not sinning.  Ironically, this leads us back into a system where our consciences can never be clean because sin remains uncovered.  Such thinking is…

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Escha-whatzit & Herme-whozit? (Part 2)

In my last post, I talked about the connection between eschatology (the study of last things or end times) and hermeneutics (how scripture is interpreted).  A person’s eschatology will flow from how they interpret scripture so when people talk about eschatology, they’re also (perhaps unconsciously) talking about how to interpret scripture.  Given that the integrity…

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Escha-whatzit & Herme-whozit? (Part 1)

Over the years, I’ve learned how connected eschatology and hermeneutics are.  “Eschatology” is a fancy word for “last things.”  When we talk about the end times, we are talking about eschatology.  “Hermeneutics” refers to how a person or group interprets the Bible.  A person’s hermeneutic is the lens through which they look at scripture.  The…

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Where Has Goodness Gone?

My pastor, Roger McCune, wrote the following article for the religion column in our local paper. It is a short article, but heartfelt and very timely. In a time when many react to the socio-political climate by fighting fire with fire, Roger approaches it with forgiveness and repentance. This is a message I wish everyone…

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I Never Knew You

A few times in the last couple weeks, I have found myself wondering, “How well do I know the Lord? How well do I know Him *really*?” I can go black and white pretty easily so my first reaction was to doubt whether I knew the Lord at all. But after more reflection I decided…

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Out from a Second

In chapters eight through 10, the writer of Hebrews continues contrasting the old and new covenants, also discussing them as the first and second covenants. The first covenant had continual sacrifice.  Not only did the repeated sacrifices fail to remove sin, they actually reminded people of their sinfulness and kept their consciences from being clean….

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Marionettes

Divisiveness has been around as long as people have been fallen.  Nevertheless, different circumstances and stressors make division more pronounced or push us further into it. This past year and a half has been trying for all of us.  COVID, economic instability, and ongoing social unrest can make it challenging to get through the day….

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The Voice of One

The Voice of One started in about 2006 with the goal to speak, not for myself, but as the voice of Another—Christ. The name is taken from John the Baptist. Religious leaders asked him if he was the Christ, and he said he wasn’t. When they asked who he was, he answered, “I am a voice…

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Weakness: Escape it or embrace it?

Two weeks ago, my friend, James Acree, preached at his church on 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. This has been a precious passage to me the last 10 years or so. Among others, the Lord has used it to completely reorient my faith. (For my thoughts on these verses, click here and here). I really appreciated what…

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