Reflections on the loving kindness of the Triune God
Jesus wrapped up a parable about a scheming and dishonest business manager by saying, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” [Luke 16] This is what we …
Read More On Finding A Comfortable Home“I can speak in the tongues of men and of angels . . . .” Yes, fine. Do that. But never think it can be a stand-in for what really matters! “And I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and I have all faith, so as to remove mountains . . …
Read More What really matters!The LORD is my shepherd, so I don’t lack anything. I learned that from David ben Jesse—the biblical King David—who was called a man after God’s own heart. He was called that by God himself! But “after God’s own heart“? That is intriguing because I most often hear about God’s will, or of his knowledge, …
Read More Finding Good ShepherdsWhat makes God attractive? Is it his aesthetics—his ability to form grand galaxies, only now seen by us, with a dramatic range of variegated shades, shapes, and brilliance of light? Or his intimate gift of sending small spiders to spin intricate webs that first catch the morning dew and then capture the first rays of …
Read More Our Attractive God“I love you!” he said. “And I love you . . . my heart aches to be with you. Let’s find a way to be together!” Question: was this brief exchange—let’s say it’s from a movie—something good or bad? One reader might respond, “It depends on the context: who were the speakers and what was …
Read More “I love you . . .”Paul, the apostle, had his world turned upside-down when he first met Jesus. Concrete points of certainty were instantly turned into sand. His wonderful heritage; his training under Gamaliel; his rising status among the Pharisees; and his zealous antagonism against the budding sect of Jesus-followers—all this collapsed in the blinding light of a new vision. …
Read More The Most Dangerous AddictionsHumility is more than an opposite to pride . . . or an antidote to arrogance. It is the glue of deep love; the scent of nobility in friendships; and a sweet fragrance in society. Humility is powerful, even more so than pride. Yet both pride and humility are shaped by ambition. All of us …
Read More Humility and AmbitionSome time ago I was asked to participate in a formal dialog with some fellow teachers about the role of history and historical studies in Bible interpretation. The topic was important because I held historical context to be very important in doing effective Bible study; yet I also knew that at least one of my colleagues was very …
Read More Reflections on Hermeneutics, History, and the BibleI met God by reading the Bible . . . I heard him speak to me through it. I asked, “If you’re really ‘there’—if you truly exist—please speak to me!” and he answered! The answer came in the Sermon on the Mount of Matthew 5-7 where he confronted me about my sin, warning me to …
Read More Life as Conversation with GodOur times are in your hands, O God, as a canvas of your love for us; the palette of your wisdom colors every moment of each day. Yet how often we see the strokes of your care as moments of fortune; as events birthed by luck; as mysterious gifts we somehow deserve. And when the …
Read More A Psalm for a New Year