In an earlier post I mentioned that a first meaning of words translated “obey” in the Bible is “to listen” and “to be attentive, as one listening for a knock at the door.” As I’ve thought about the relationship between listening and obeying, I’ve imagined hearing a knock at the door in the middle of […]
One of our goals at RBC (the publishers of Our Daily Bread) is to attach authority to no more or no less than the necessary implications of the Bible. I don’t find that easy to do. Seems so hard to avoid reading more into the Bible than out of it (by treating possible implications as […]
In my last post I said that I find it interesting that Job shows up in the time of Abraham, apparently outside of Israel, with such Jesus-like social conscience. Find a similar description of an ideal woman that comes from a time when men were expected to rule their homes, and when daughters and wives […]
As Satan gloats over the progress of his rebellion, God asks, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (Job 1:8). So I find myself absorbed in the memoirs of Job. What made him such a […]
Have had a lot of conversations over the years with Dean about whether “earth care” should be one of our priorities. We’ve always shared a love of the outdoors, even though he’s always been the teacher whenever we are out in the field or woods. I’ll admit that I used to argue that this earth […]
While remembering the emotion I felt watching Susan Boyle amaze the judges and the crowd, I’ve just read the third and fourth chapters of Acts with new appreciation. If you have time over the weekend, am thinking you also may find a smile if you see any relationship between: i.e. (a) Susan and those who […]
OK, people, I’m probably coming late to the party. But I just heard about this Youtube sensation that apparently is bringing more than a few of us to tears. Came home a little while ago to work on my tax return. My wife sat me down and said, “You have to see this.” So now, […]
Can’t believe it. Once again have put off doing my tax filing until the last minute. Guess I know what I’ll be doing tonight. Death and taxes, isn’t that what they say we all have to look forward to? If that’s all we have to look forward to… Sure glad there’s more. Just remembered Peggy […]
One of the most compelling prophecies of the Bible is found in Daniel 9:24-26. There the prophet predicts that from the time of the command to rebuild Jerusalem (after Israel’s exile in Babylon) 69 “sevens” would pass before the Messiah came and was “cut off, but not for himself.” Then Daniel says that the city […]
Moses asked Israel to remember their Exodus Passover on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Nisan (Lev 23:5). He said the next day (the 15th) was to begin seven days of Unleavened Bread and called the first day a no-work/Sabbath (vv 6-7). Moses went on to say that, once Israel was in their promised […]
Last night, went for a long walk and listened along the way to a podcast of a Los Angeles Times religion reporter telling NPR’s Dick Gordon how he had been born-again– only to later lose his faith while covering the scandals of the church community. Woke up this morning to hear the disturbing news that […]
Most civilized people would consider it morbid to wear jewelry or clothing that displays the likeness of a hangman’s noose, an electric chair, or a guillotine. Yet millions display the most cruel form of Roman execution around their necks or on the tops of their houses of worship. And within the next 24 hours even […]
As we enter together into this holy week and season of Passover, sure wish everyone could see how the final events of Jesus life coincide with an ancient, annual cycle of Jewish holidays. In addition to fulfilling the mysterious predictions of prophets, Jesus showed how deeply his life was rooted in the annual celebrations of […]
My computer went down yesterday. Tried to fix it myself. Made things worse. Now can’t even boot it up. Am hoping I didn’t lose a bunch of photos and articles I haven’t backed up. Using my wife’s now just to stay in touch. Real smart. Wasn’t doing back-ups. Then too impatient to wait a couple […]
Got back yesterday from a region that is as diverse and confusing as this donkey and rider on the rooftop of the Old City of Jerusalem– surrounded by antennas and satellite dishes. The lingering jet lag that will probably shadow us for a week, has given me a chance, over night, to reflect not only […]
In times of financial, social, or medical uncertainty, the coney might seem like an unlikely example of wisdom. But this little rodentlike critter, so common in certain regions of Africa and the Middle East, is worth getting to know. The coney is interesting for a number of reasons. Based on DNA similarities, some biologists have […]
