Reading 1 Peter (1:1–2)
(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...
The River Summer Celebration
When: Monday, August 4, 2014 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (EDT) Where: Heritage Park, Corporate Shelter 861 Southeast Main Street Simpsonville, SC Register for the event at:...
The Trouble with Familiarity
When teaching the “Reading Scripture” course, one of the common challenges that readers face is what we might identify as the “trouble with familiarity.” Quite often, we come to a passage having heard it or read it at some earlier time. We have a vague sense of...
You WRITE in your Bible?!?
If you look over my shoulder as I am studying or reading my Bible, you will see that I usually read with a pencil in hand. If you attend our “Reading Scripture” course you’ll discover I encourage people to read and study Scripture with a pencil in hand. And,...
What is our part?
It seems that Christians often struggle with their “part” in their lives with Jesus. Certainly a sense of responsibility for our relationship with Jesus is appropriate; but keeping our “part” in perspective can be a challenge. Sometimes we err in thinking too much...
What You Might Not Know You Know
One of the core ideas in our Reading Scripture class is that most readers already bring to the Bible nearly everything they need to know in order to read and make sense of the Bible. They might just not know what they already know! Fundamentally, it's not an issue...
A video intro to The River
Brian was recently on a local information program that was broadcast in the greater Upstate region of South Carolina. The following link will take you to the short video that will give you a glimpse into some of the things that are at the heart of The River. See...
Something better than good advice
It’s common. You sit with a group of friends talking about life and challenges and daily struggles. And, with compassion, someone weighs in. He or she offers some advice. “Let me tell you what I did when I faced the same thing just a few weeks ago.” “My doctor told...
Our Stories or . . . ?
Over the past few weeks I’ve had more than a few conversations with friends about the Christian life. Regardless of where the discussions started, we ended up talking about the place of Scripture in this life we live with Jesus. One conversation focused on a...
Three Components to Spiritual Horticulture
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul talks about the growth that comes in the Christian life. He explains that some ministry is like sowing seed, some is like watering plants, but it is God who brings the growth (1 Corinthians 3:5–9). Thus, in one sense, all...