When we are reading a passage, it is important to keep in mind that how a thing is said (or written) may be as important as what is said (or written). I saw this illustrated in a discussion with a student in a "Reading Scripture" class. We had been working through...
On a recent trip, I learned in a tangible (and costly) way of the importance of reading carefully. Having booked a flight and paid for luggage and printed my boarding passes, my wife and I discovered that we were really going to need to take two small bags, not...
As life unfolds around us, we sometimes catch a glimpse of the magnitude of something we initially thought wasn't that big a deal. The small spot on the ceiling; seems to be just a small discoloration . . . until you realize that the roof has a leak. That peculiar...
Applying the kind of approach to the Bible that is found in The River’s “Reading Scripture” class and developing themes touched on in the intensive on Jesus’ miracles, Brian has written a book on the miracles of Jesus. Entitled More Than His God Card, this...
In 1 Peter 1:8, the apostle wrote about the believing that results in rejoicing that is to characterize those who have come to know Jesus. And I think I know where Peter got this idea. In Jesus’ exchange with his friends (which included Peter) in the upper room...
On a recent trip to visit my mom, my sister and brother-in-law gave me something they had found in my parents' house where they are currently living. Apparently before he passed away, my father had tucked a couple of old cigars boxes into a corner in the basement....
If you are talking with a friend or family member and you find the other person repeating a word or phrase, it makes sense to pay attention. We tend to repeat what is important. It's the same when we are reading Scripture. When a Biblical author repeats a word or...
The angel who announced John's (the Baptist) birth told Zacharias that he would have gladness (Luke 1:14). Mary was delighted in the angel's announcement made to her (Luke 1:44). Luke described the church as meeting together with glad-heartedness (Acts 2:46). Such...
Peter is writing to followers of Jesus who have been scattered because of persecution. It is, without doubt, a hard life they are facing, spread throughout the Roman provinces on the north-east coast of the Mediterranean. He is writing to encourage them and...
(Given the commitment The River has to reading Scripture well and to discipleship, one of the purposes of the website blog will be to model reading texts and making appropriate application. This post will be the first of a series that will take us through Peter's...