Now David was deeply troubled because his men talked of stoning him; but he strengthened himself in the Lord (1 Sam. 30:6). Therefore, I will gladly boast all the more of my weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9). ______________________________________________________________________________ Last time we met, the conclusion to our introduction was to ask if we are prepared for a...... Read More

Now David was deeply troubled because his men talked of stoning him; but he strengthened himself in the Lord (1 Sam. 30:6). Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord (Zech. 4:6). Therefore, I will gladly boast all the more of my weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9). ______________________________________________________________________________ One of the...... Read More

By faith Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God tested him … even though the Lord had promised that it was through Isaac that Abraham’s descendants would be numbered. It was by faith that Isaac promised future blessings to his sons, Jacob and Esau. And It was by faith that Jacob, before his death,...... Read More

The “alleylon” (one another) passages in the New Testament, Part 4: When God kneels in humility to serve us, we are raised to unbelievably great stature in his eyes, and rightly made infinitely small in our own. If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash each others’ feet (Jn....... Read More

The “alleylon” (one another) passages in the New Testament, Part 2C: Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another (1Pet. 5:5b) Over the past couple of weeks, I have, perhaps rashly, taken a plunge into the vast sea of the virtue that the New Testament calls tapeinophrosúne, aka humility. After two blog posts, I still feel no...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 10: Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of God. To this point, every Beatitude that we have considered has opened for us a plethora of questions of lesser or greater complexity. This week’s verse is no different, except that I’m...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 9b: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Once upon a time there was a stunningly lame song, the chorus of which began, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” I am profoundly sorry to any of you who now...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 6: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; they shall be satisfied. Before plunging in to Jesus’ next statement of happiness, let’s revisit the structure of the Beatitudes and situate the previous blessing of meekness. Looking at the verse to verse progression, it is clear that meekness sits...... Read More