Category Archives: Bible

“A little help!”

The NRSV has a strangely bland translation of Romans 15:24: when I go to Spain. For I do hope to see you on my journey and to be sent on by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a … Continue reading

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What Do You Want From Life?

“What do you want from life?” Everyone answers that question differently. What I mean is this. Everyone wants to be happy. There are things we want to accomplish. We want financial security. We want to be in relationships with other … Continue reading

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The World Turned Upside Down

The book of Acts records the conflict between the first Christians and the pagan communities they were evangelizing. Those communities said they were advocating customs unlawful for Romans to adopt (Acts 16:20), that they were “turning the world upside down” … Continue reading

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Barzillai's Legacy

Barzillai was one of the people who helped King David during the period when David’s son Absalom was trying to usurp the throne. (See 2 Samuel 17:27-29.) Later, when David had regained the throne and was rewarding people who’d been … Continue reading

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Samuel, You're Not So Hot

Samuel wasn’t all that hot, you know? I mean, okay, he was a prophet. He has two books of the Bible named for him. He was the last judge of Israel, and God used him to commission the first two … Continue reading

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Dealing with the Devil

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”—John 10:10 As a rule, Presbyterians don’t talk much about the devil. But this month, we’re going to begin reading C.S. … Continue reading

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What's Your Problem?

There’s a fascinating conversation between Moses and God in Exodus 4. You know the story. Moses has just been called to lead the people of God up out of bondage in Egypt. God wants Moses to go tell Pharaoh to … Continue reading

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How to Invite People to Church

Jon Acuff hits the nail on the head again, with this post about how to invite people to church. “It’s funny because it’s true.” (Acuff’s Stuff Christians Like is worth bookmarking. I’ve been reading it for about two years, which … Continue reading

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Sharing Good News (a Lesson from the Bible)

One of my favorite Bible stories is found in 2 Kings 7. A neighboring empire had attacked Israel and Jerusalem was under siege. The city was surrounded, so nothing could get in or out, and people got very, very hungry. … Continue reading

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Second-Chance God

He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings … Continue reading

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