Explore the River Blog

I like to stand outside during a thunderstorm–not in an open field, but on my front porch or in the open garage. There is something startling, something awe-inspiring, and even a bit frightening about the lightning that flashes across the sky and the thunder that...

There are a large number of resources available for those who long to read and understand the Bible for themselves. And often, those resources suggest there is a great wealth of "background" information you need to become familiar with to make sense of what you...

As we approach the celebration of Easter, I have been thinking about what we find in the Gospels that lead up to Jesus' death and resurrection. Those moments in His ministry are some of the most defining and most memorable. But there are a few other Gospel...

I recently presented a simple challenge to attendees in a "Reading Scripture" class. This was what I asked them to do: Please read the following sentence and count the number of "f" in the sentence. Here's the sentence, and you are invited to do the same (before...

Why did Jesus ask, “Have you never read?” (See, for example, Matthew 12:3; 5; 19:4; 21:16, 42; 22:31.) When He asked that question, typically He was speaking to someone raised in the Jewish community. Sometimes He was even addressing a Jewish leader. Every week,...

Although they are not omniscient, they have been around for a long time. Since they were first created, the angels have watched God carry out His plans for the rest of creation. As the Spirit prompted and inspired prophets throughout the ages, the angels heard...

The past months in the American political landscape have been stress-inducing, to say the least. News reports and social media posts have contributed to a tumultuous election season. Followers of Jesus are not immune from the pressure, the barrage of information,...

I remember a stage show I was in with my wife and kids. It was quite a treat to perform together. One of the best memories of that experience was how the director helped us understand what it meant to be a cast--not just a gathering of individual actors. He helped...

In the church calendar--the way that many churches reflect on the life and ministry of Jesus–this Sunday is Palm Sunday. That is the day that many Christians remember Jesus' "triumphal entry" into the city of Jerusalem shortly before His passion and death. His...

Charlie Brown asked, “Does anyone know what Christmas is all about?” And Linus replied by rehearsing for Charlie Brown the account of the angels’ visit to the shepherds as found in Luke 2. It’s a sweet moment in a favorite holiday classic. And many people know that...