Joining the chorus, singing in the sanctuary with fellow-worshipers, these bring joy. Today we have begun a series of 15 Psalms called 'The Songs of Ascent'...pilgrim songs sung going up to Jerusalem, enroute to holy festivals celebrating God's deliverance, forgiveness and provision. They are divided into groups of three (unfortunately our reading doesn't recognize this). The first in the group of...  Read More

Perhaps Psalm 119 evokes the same emotion within as a genealogy would, or another read of Leviticus. It's a good thing we generally read it a stanza at a time. However, could I remind you of the beauty of the whole? In Hebrew it is a marvelous acrostic poem. As you notice each heading, a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, remember that every line in that section begins with that letter. More amazing i...  Read More

"For the Kingdom of God is not in word (logos) but in power (dunamis)" (1 Corinthians 4:20, literal).Paul has a way with words. Sometimes his run-on sentences make you pause in deliberate pondering. At other times, he packs a punch in a few words that leave you wondering: what just happened? A lot of the problem in Corinth had to do with 'word'...yes, read logos in context. The Corinthian divide w...  Read More

We were made to enjoy the beauty of God's creation, the joy of human fellowship, and an unbroken relationship with God. Of course, we know the story of Adam...our story. There is an optimism that says, 'Left to its own devices, the human race is basically good, and given unrestrained freedom, it will thrive." This optimism is deluded. The evidence is everywhere present.On the other hand, I love th...  Read More

"But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16, CSB)Do we? As we draw our conversation about 'seeking God' to a close today, I am blessed by how His Word speaks to this eternal journey. It begins with total self-surrender...deciding to know nothing but Christ crucified (2 Corinthians 2:2). We are reminded that what God has in store for us (those who love Him) is beyond seeing, hearing, and ...  Read More

"Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:34; Jeremiah 9:24)"A life of prayer leads to full consecration. Consecration fully recognizes God's ownership of us." (E.M. Bounds, The Power of Prayer) If I recognize what Paul writes to a divided and boasting church in Corinth, that Jesus is both God's power (ability to overcome and thrive) and wisdom (ability to apply truth to everyd...  Read More