One of the themes that continue to surface in my conversations with others is the difference between living because of who we are and living in a particular way in order to become who we want to be. It might sound like that's straining at wording, but it there is a...
The authors--both the human authors and the Spirit who inspired the Scriptures--are not hesitant to speak of the "fear of God." Whether in Old Testament or New Testament contexts, there is a place to think of the fear of God. It seems that rightly grasping both the...
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...