distractions and self-control

The point is that we all do exactly what we want to do. We eat what we want to eat, watch what we want to watch, listen to what we want to hear, read what we want to read and so on. That is why I wrote The Lie articles and why John [...]

Bible translations and study

as I said before, I am kind of a nut about Bibles. The bottom line is that I think everyone should get one that they will read and then read it for all its worth.
Having said that, at Bible study yesterday morning the importance of using a literal translation in your study [...]

Resurgence Blog

Resurgence has redesigned their website with a new joint blog. Added to the blogroll over to the right.
Here is a recent post from Mark Driscoll about the importance of studying in a christian’s life. Good stuff and here is the conclusion:
Conclusion
Because Jesus humbly entered into history as a human being, He had to [...]

personal revelation?

the Thirsty Theologian is hard core when it comes to personal revelations from God. Quoting Sinclair Ferguson who gives three reasons why people these days prefer personal revelation to reading the general revelation contained in the Bible. Here is Mr. Ferguson’s third reason:
3. Direct revelation makes it unnecessary to engage in painstaking Bible [...]

Deacon stuff

I added the narrative explanation of deacon qualifications and role below the outline on the Deacon Outline page. Yes, that’s right, even more words.

what is our hope?

I Peter 1:13 says that we need to prepare our minds for action (the KJV word picture is to “gird up the loins of your mind” I love that!) be sober minded and set our hope fully on the grace that will be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
If we are going to focus [...]

Did Jesus Claim to be Messiah (the Christ)?

Some of you have seen John Hagee’s video advertising one of his books. In it he makes the startling claim that the Jews can’t be responsible for rejecting Jesus as Messiah, because He never claimed to be Messiah. This video is just amazing because surely John Hagee should know better, but he is [...]

Hospitality

In our bible study this morning we talked a little bit about hospitality.  We are studying Hebrews and we have arrived at chapter 13 verse 2.
This passage seems to echo the instruction of I Peter 4:7-9 that we keep our love for one another at full strength and don’t neglect to show hospitality. One [...]

A Mustard Seed Church

Here is John Chandler’s post containing a link to his paper regarding a possible model for a replicating church. I love the idea that Jesus was telling them that the church was like a weed planted in a garden. Luke 13:18-19
In the same way, I love the one verse parable in Matthew 13:33 [...]

a perspective on persuasion

 II Corinthians 5:11 says that since we know the fear of the Lord we persuade others. Most of the church isn’t persuading others (myself included) so why not? Because we don’t really fear the Lord? Just asking the question.

Importance of reading the Bible

I grew up in a Bible believing, Bible teaching church. I am grateful for parents that took me every Sunday.
I began teaching young adult sunday school when I was 25 or so and taught classes in two churches for the next ten years. I am ashamed to admit that even then, I had never [...]