Not On Our Own as Readers
Although The River's focus is on helping people read and understand the Bible, it is not merely a "natural" thing we do. Our reading Scripture is not simply a matter of applying ourselves to the task of reading. Although the goal of reading the Bible should be to...
Maybe a Bigger Deal Than We Tend to Think
Well, the "Christmas season" is upon us. For some, that is a time of stress; for many, a time for joy; for others, just attempting to get through the season. But for those who know Jesus, it is right not to lose sight of the reason for the season: The Birth. But...
Are You Thankful?
We have just celebrated Thanksgiving–that traditional American holiday. Family and friends gathered, special foods were shared, and (hopefully) there was some giving of thanks to the God who provides it all. Obviously, the apostle Paul didn't celebrate...
Do You Know The Words?
We're coming up on the Christmas holiday. With that will come the carols and songs of the seasons. We'll gladly hum or sing along. But when we do that, are we really aware of what we are singing? We'll sing "Joy to the World." And we'll smile as we join in the...
Maybe It’s Not as Hard As We Think
Erasmus was a classics professor during the days of the Reformation. He not only produced the first critical edition of the Greek New Testament (which became the fuel for the Reformation), but he also taught language arts. One of his more notable works was De...
Apparently It Matters
It is interesting what you notice if you simply slow down and pay attention to what a passage-–particularly a familiar passage–actually tells us. How about an example? Many followers of Jesus are well-acquainted with the Passion Week exchange that Jesus had with...
Do You Realize What It Cost?
This week was the anniversary of the martyrdom of William Tyndale. Perhaps you are familiar with his name; he was the first to publish a printed edition of the New Testament in English, translated from the Greek. Thinking about what he did raises a couple of...
What Did He Emphasize?
Most people–whether followers of Jesus or not–do have some thoughts about what He was like . . . what He did . . . what He gave Himself to in the days of His incarnation. He's seen as a prophet, a teacher, a leader, the Messiah, our Savior, our divine Friend, and...
Did I Notice?
When you live with someone for a period of time–whether a spouse or your children, whether a long-time coworker or a college roommate–you can grow accustomed to how they act and how they look. As that familiarity grows, it becomes increasingly easy to not notice...
Freedom . . . at Great Cost
In a letter to his wife in 1777, President John Adams wrote: "Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the...
