“Full of Wonders”
Category: Faith
When People Show You Who They Are, Believe Them – Part 2
As I mentioned in Part 1 of this dissertation, “one positive aspect of the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas is that the atrocities, and Israel’s rational response to them, have caused many masks to drop to the ground. The true nature of many groups and individuals is suddenly on public display.” In Part […]
When People Show You Who They Are, Believe Them – Part 1
Warning: Some difficult things to read ahead. But it’s important to face the truth, even when . . . especially when . . . the truth is awful. As the folks who attend the Cup & Table Co. gatherings will attest, a consistent prayer of mine over the last several years has been that hidden […]
A Wider War?
War is a terrible thing. It’s also an old thing. Unimaginably old. There is evidence in the Bible that there was a war in the heavnelies before there was even an earth. And that that conflict spilled over onto this planet at some point, with horrific, far-reaching consequences. But every once in a while a […]
Book Review: Finding the Right Hills to Die On
I was in Scotland. And over a warm brown ale so thick you could almost eat it with a spoon, I was getting to know a Baptist pastor I’d just met. (When in Scotland . . . !) I was looking forward to discussing one of my favorite 19th century Scottish Baptist preachers, Alexander MacLaren. […]
What’s the Attraction? How to Comprehend the Incomprehensible.
As you know, last week Hamas revealed itself to be “ISIS 2.0.” As you also know, Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on the 50th Anniversary of the “Yom Kippur War,” and the savagery that followed, sparked celebratory rallies in places like London, NYC, and Sydney. (As well as countless college campuses.) Because of where I […]
A Story is Never JUST a Story
Okay this is just for fun. Don’t take this (or me) too seriously here. Writing and storytelling is my chosen profession. I’ve studied the craft for roughly 40 years. One central thing I’ve learned is we humans are wired to receive and be influenced by story. I know that if I need to persuade you […]
Mysteries . . . Solved! Troubling Sayings . . . Clarified! Faith . . . Strengthened!
Have you ever wondered what Jesus drew in the dust when presented with “the woman caught in adultery?” Have you ever winced at Jesus’ seemingly brusque treatment of the Syrophonecian woman with the possessed daughter. Does Jesus really expect us to pluck out an eye or cut off a hand if they cause us to […]
The Closed Window: Minimizing Regret
Yesterday, it was my privilege to bring a short teaching from Ephesians to a group of precious men at a noontime gathering. I read from this tattered, falling-apart Bible I’ve had for more than 43 years. As I opened it, I couldn’t help but think about the friend, Steve, who gifted it to me back […]
His Voice Not His Hand: The Discipline of the Father
Not long ago I was leading a discussion about about how God corrects and trains us (disciplines us). The text we were exploring was Hebrews 12:4-17. I pointed out that that many believers have been taught that God is using sickness, lack, pain, and loss as His “scourge” to teach us things and punish us. […]