The Blessing of Obedience
“Matthew, I want you to weed the two potato rows in the garden,” said Mother. “I don’t have time and it is a job you can do.” Eight-year-old Matthew was playing with his toys in the sandbox under the pine tree. He would have much rather made roads and built sand houses, but he knew better than arguing with his mother. Slowly he headed to the garden. The rows looked long,…
The Three Cs of Interpretation
One of the worst things a Christian can do is read a Bible verse. Sound like heresy? Here’s the point: when reading the Bible, Christians get into danger when they focus on just one verse and ignore the entirety of Scripture. When reading God’s Word, Christians should focus on the three Cs: Context, Covenant Connection, and Consider Other Scriptures. 1. Context of the…
The Power of “Exousia”
A Bible Study on Spiritual Authority The power of exousia… Whatever is “exousia”? “I have never seen that word in my Bible.” If you are not familiar with this strange little word, allow me to introduce you to it. Exousia is a word that is actually very prominent in the Greek New Testament. Prominent because it is found ninety-three times in our New Testament, and,…
The Poor in Spirit
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven –Mat 5:3. Jesus says the poor in spirit are blessed! This is where the blessing of God begins. To be poor in spirit is the gateway to a blessing that leads to all the other blessings. Without this, no other blessings from God are within our reach. Did you notice that Jesus speaks about heaven in the…
The Bible—God’s Word or A Crystal Ball
How should we educate our children? Should I take that job? Should I ask for that sister’s hand in marriage? Should we move to Haiti? Should we buy that house? The list of questions that we face in life seems to be never ending. What do you do when you face the need to make a decision? If you were a pagan living in the Roman Empire during the time of Christ, the answer…
The Balm of Gilead
The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? –Jer 8:20-22. From the pen of the weeping prophet arises the renowned lamentation…
Sharing Snowflake
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 “Mom, the neighbor girl is here. May I show her my kitten?” Cole asked. Mom nodded. Cole trotted back to the yard. “Abbie! I want to show you what I found under the shed. It’s a kitten that I tamed all by myself.” Cole flopped on his stomach, pushing his head flat against the dirt to…
Joy in the Crevices
A few years ago, I was wallowing in emotional and physical burn out, trying to adjust to life outside of the African village we had called home for eight years. Depression and fear were a regular part of my life. As I slowly crawled out of the hole I was in (a hole I never realized I had fallen into until it was too late for an easy remedy), I began to notice beauty. In…
Continuing Endurance (See Luke 18)
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; -Colossians 4:2 The judge with whom the widow pled Would have ignored, But she implored Him to avenge her. So he said That he would heed And fill her need. He didn’t have a fear for God, But intellect Without respect For men. He loathed her frequent prod And anxious cries; Her tear-filled eyes. We Christians…
CBD – Illegal No More
A grandmotherly figure pleadingly looked into the doctor’s eyes and stated, “All I want to know is this: Is it legal?” Questions like this, regarding substances such as CBD oil, have become more common in recent times due to the head-spinning pace of changes in the law. Glossy brochures from natural food and supplement stores are beginning to flood our mailboxes with all…