Real people who loved God and were on their own spiritual journey, these are the ones who penned the words we read in the Word of God. I am not certain how literalists explain 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 that begins and ends with Paul saying that this is his 'opinion.' He very clearly acknowledges that he is walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, but is humble enough to say: 'This is what I think.' Do...  Read More

One thing I appreciate about the apostle Paul is that he is a master of 'the grey areas' of life. Out of a recent conversation I was reminded that not everything is 'black and white,' as the expression goes, and that for thinking Christians who long to be Christlike, these grey areas become a place of spiritual reflection and even, at times consternation. There are times when those grey areas may ...  Read More

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