Do you remember the “just say no to drugs” campaign waged a number of years ago? (The slogan “just say no” continues to be used in schools across the country.) The assumption of the slogan was that kids could simply say “no” whenever faced with temptation. Is that true? Can we simply say “no” whenever … Continue reading “Just Say No” to Sin?
Category: Bible
What Does the Word “Comfort” Mean in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7?
What do you think of when you hear the word “comfort”? I think of a flannel shirt I bought twenty years ago (and still sometimes wear!), the world’s softest feather pillow, or the elusive first-class seat I never get to enjoy on an airplane. What about the verb “comfort”? What comes to mind when you … Continue reading What Does the Word “Comfort” Mean in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7?
Does Your Mind Wander in Prayer?
This past weekend I participated at a conference on prayer with my colleague David Talley. One of the questions I was asked during a Q & A time had to do with mind-wandering during prayer. Does your mind ever wander when you’re trying to pray? Here are ten suggestions that might help you when your … Continue reading Does Your Mind Wander in Prayer?
What is Progressive Dispensationalism?
What is Progressive Dispensationalism? Progressive Dispensationalism is a pattern of biblical interpretation that focuses—not entirely, but most particularly—on the question of how Old Testament promises made to Israel relate to the church. Proponents of Progressive Dispensationalism attempt to walk a middle path between Traditional Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology. Progressive Dispensationalists affirm much of what is … Continue reading What is Progressive Dispensationalism?
Why It’s More Important to Read the Bible than Devotional Books
I have received considerable help in my spiritual life over the years from reading devotional books. What is a devotional book? A devotional book is a book that assists you in growing in your spiritual life by explicating and making personal applications from what is written in the Bible. Examples of devotional books that have … Continue reading Why It’s More Important to Read the Bible than Devotional Books
Life is Christ
“What do you want out of life?” The trained interviewer appeared relaxed—even casual—as she asked me this question, but I could tell she was intent on figuring out who I was. In the context of interviewing for a summer job at a local department store during my break from college, that only meant that she … Continue reading Life is Christ
Great Grandma Captola Finds Her Way into a Term Paper
Every once in a while, I encounter a spiritually impacting paragraph while grading a term paper. Granted, this doesn’t happen often, but I really love it when it does! Such occurred earlier this semester while reading a paper submitted by Parker[1] in my Principles of Interpretation class. I share the following excerpt with his permission. … Continue reading Great Grandma Captola Finds Her Way into a Term Paper
Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy
One Christian book has spiritually helped me more than any other book during these past four months. God has used Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, by pastor Mark Vroegop, to remind me of and re-teach me the biblical language of lament. I have returned repeatedly to the main ideas of this book since I first read … Continue reading Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy
Is it Possible Not to Sin? Can the Tongue be Tamed?
How can James write: “But no one can tame the tongue” (James 3:8 NAU) in one breath, and then in another write “this ought not to be so” (James 3:10 NRSV)? If no one can tame the tongue, why does James exhort his readers to tame their tongues, and blame them when they don’t? Is … Continue reading Is it Possible Not to Sin? Can the Tongue be Tamed?
Christian Hospitality
My wife is remarkably hospitable—far more than I. For ten straight years at her instigation, we invited all of my enrolled college students over every week during the academic year for dinner and spiritual conversation. (Fortunately, it never happened that they all showed up on the same evening. Whew!) We have scaled back a bit … Continue reading Christian Hospitality
