Category: Uncategorized
-
Understanding Joseph’s Dilemma: A Cultural Perspective
Why did Joseph have to divorce Mary if they weren’t married yet? It helps to know the ancient culture when trying to interpret stories like the birth of Jesus. Marriages in Jesus’ time had three phases: Initiation (paying the bride price), Preparation (preparing the home for a family), and Consummation (the wedding feast- usually a…
-
Faith Lessons from Mary’s Life
As we look at the life of Mary, we see three aspects of the life of faith. First, Mary’s submission to the will of God in the face of the unknown displays an uncommon faith. Her submission stems from her understanding of who she knows God to be: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it…
-
Understanding Elizabeth’s Spiritual Sensitivity
In the story of the first Christmas, Elizabeth is unique in her experience. Mary, Joseph, and Zechariah all get supernatural visitations. But Elizabeth has no angel who visits. She has the word of Zechariah (by note, no doubt) about how God has begun to move in the life of Israel and in the life of…
-
Exploring Zechariah’s Faith During Christmas
This morning we begin our meditations on the birth of Christ during Christmas week. We will take four people and watch their faith as the story of the first Christmas unfolds. You are invited to read each post this week and add your comment. Can’t wait to read what we observe together! Zechariah’s Faith Luke…
-
What can we do that Matters for Eternity?
The Book of Revelation mentions three things we can do today that will matter in eternity. Can you think of them? The most important one is winning the lost. Revelation talks about people being gathered around the throne of God from every nation, tribe, kindred and people. Having a part in getting those souls there…
-
Serving the Most Vulnerable
In scripture, God has a particular concern for the vulnerable in a culture. Their lives have an increased uncertainty. They are isolated and fear the unknown. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were reminded over and over in the law to respect certain groups and not to take advantage of them. These included the widow…
-
Websites and Apps I Recommend
Good Bible studies and references don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Here are several free sites that have been a great help to me: E-sword is a free Bible study program that includes great helps and a variety of resources, including commentaries, encyclopedias (ISBE), and note-taking functions. I have used it for…
-
Looking for Good Bible-Training online for Free?
Have you ever wanted more Bible training, but believed you didn’t have time or money to make it happen? Good Bible training gives us balance and perspective. We develop hooks to hang our ideas on. Here are two great places for getting training that are FREE: Dimensions of the Faith from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. This…
-
Advice for the First-Time Reader of the Book of Revelation
We are nearing the end of our tour of the Book of Revelation on Thursday nights. We asked, “What advice would you give a reader who was approaching the Book for the first time?” Here is our discussion: Avoid trying to make contemporary application. For example, the Reformers were sure they knew who the antichrist…
Bennett Life 