-
Quick Thought on the NIV 2011
One of the things I enjoy about translations these days is the opportunity to find out about some of the translators. The more I find out about the translators of the NIV, the more impressed I am with their heart for God and the care with which they do translation work. I heard Gordon Fee several years ago speak on…
-
Coming to Our End
At the Last Supper there is the accusation from Jesus that one would betray him. All the disciples are asking, “Lord, is it me?” I’ve found that odd at times. Don’t they know if they’ve done this or not? Judas had to have been a bit comforted that so many other guys were confessing to things they didn’t do! He…
-
Trying to Keep Up with Jesus
John 12:20ff Some Greeks wanted to see Jesus, so Andrew and Philip let Jesus know. Jesus’ response? “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Imagine Andrew and Philip hearing that and then saying to each other, “So, is that a YES or…
-
Worship Meditations for Holy Week
I probably post this every year, but I LOVE this song!
-
Holy Week — Passion for Christ
This is a week given to meditating on the passion OF Christ. Yet, Philippians 3:1-14 is a reading for today. Here it is passion FOR Christ. Everything must pale in comparison to my thirst for knowing him. Any accomplishments, any desired accomplishments, any distractions… those need to drop off. I must know HIM. It is surpassing worth. Nothing even comes…
-
Holy Week — The Power of the Gospel Story
“So Jesus deposits on public record, available to all, the most beautiful teachings about God and his world that have ever been given. At the same time he embodies and modes this teaching in his own life. With his public death and resurrection, Jesus’ name an face are inscribed on the drama of world history, and ever afterward he becomes…
-
Palm Sunday — Expectations
Jesus came in power, or so it seemed. Speculation about Jesus is rampant. He has come to Jerusalem in a season when the rumor mill is high. He has taken off the gloves, so to speak, with the Pharisees and it seems an all-out confrontation is ahead. There is no doubt in the minds of the people who would win…
-
Renewing the Mind — The Case for Humming
We need more humming. I’ve advocated this for years. The main reason I have done so is make sure I’m not the only one. Another reason, though, is humming adds a song to my heart. Or, it brings the song in my heart out. Over the years I have inadvertently learned hymns and worship songs, or at least the tunes,…
-
Academics and the Church
The past few weeks I’ve noticed some different posts about the Church and the academy. This week the school where I teach part time hosted an Undergraduate Bible and Theology Conference. The main speaker was Dr. Karen Jobes. Her talk on Thursday night was incredible. As a pastor and instructor, I found her words incredibly insightful. I will probably post…
-
Renewing the Mind — What are you reading?
To set our minds on the things of the Spirit we need to be taking in what is good. If we allow our minds to be open sewer grates and give no regard for what goes in, we will have no control on how we think, or what we think about. One of the great ways to bring the mind…
