If you’ve ever ridden Trimet, you know the difference between fragrance and odor. Some passengers give off a pleasant perfume or cologne, while others assault our nostrils as though they haven’t bathed for weeks. But this blog is not addressing the physical aromas or odors that follow a person. Instead, I’m looking at the character […]
After a devastating storm or fire, the person interviewed often says something to the effect, “We’ll build back better. We’ll be stronger than we were before.” I know they are trying to bring comfort and hope to the people, but there is no mention of relying on God’s help. It sounds a lot like the […]
The first three kings of Israel, Saul, David, and Solomon, ruled over the United Kingdom of all twelve tribes of Israel. After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam was slated to ascend the throne, but before his inauguration, the people made known their grievances. They said, “‘Your father put a heavy yoke [heavy taxes] on us, […]
The familiar scene opens to the gathering of ominous storm clouds. Darkness descends for three hours, above the hill where Jesus of Nazareth, nailed to the cross and in excruciating pain for several hours, takes his final breath, crying out according to The Bible’s Luke 23:46 “….Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit….” Then, […]
Listen to this conversation between God and a young man who later became one of His prophets. God: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah: “Ah, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to […]
If by sovereign you mean that God is above everything else, with no one having authority over Him, then yes. If by sovereign you mean that God decrees, or decides, everything that happens, then NO. God is not to blame for murders, rapes, human trafficking. He is not to blame for bribery or lies or […]
One of the most common complaints is, “I don’t like my job.” The person complaining may not like their boss or their hours. Their complaint may be about the pay or the office politics. Such complaining is not new. The Bible is filled with such incidents. I’ll point out two that took place shortly after […]
Christ had a very clear understanding of why He was born into our world. He expressed that purpose to Nicodemus [Nic, for short] in a late-night conversation recorded in the third chapter of John. Nic was a very religious man, having devoted his life to the study of the Scriptures. But as he heard of […]