“The life of grace is not an effort on our part to achieve a goal we set ourselves. It is a continually renewed attempt simply to believe that someone else has done all the achieving that is needed and to live in relationship with that person, whether we achieve or not. If that doesn’t seem […]

The prophet Habakkuk & the author Flannery ‘O Connor have a lot in common… They were both deeply distraught about the tartufferie of God’s people. Violently they cried out against the violence of the sanctimonious societies surrounding them. They pummeled God with questions. Questions like, “How long shall you make me see consumeristic corruption in […]

Matthew 23… [PAUSE] how do you feel about the fact that Jesus is saying this about some of the most renowned and venerated PhD, conservative, theologians in the PCA? For example, think of some historic church (circa 18th century), with an iconic, picturesque, steeple, and a venerated – highly educated – PhD Pastor at the […]

In my morning meeting with The Boss He said, “A bunch of stouthearted fellows came to help David when he was subversively living with the Philistines! These guys had faces of lions, and they were swift as gazelles upon the mountains. There were even 3,000 dudes from the tribe of Benjamin who defected from Saul’s […]

The following is an imagined conversation between David and someone trying to play “peacemaker” and “honor” the king. PTTPP&“H”TK:[1] “Are you gonna accept the king’s invitation to move back to Gibeah and resume your duties as commander and court musician?” David: “No.” PTTPP&“H”TK: “Well, king Saul has done some really good things, and I think […]

The following is an imagined conversation between Nehemiah and someone trying to play “peacemaker” and “honor” the high priest. PTTPP&“H”THP:[1] “How was your trip?” Nehemiah: “Business as usual.” PTTPP&“H”THP: “What are you gonna do now that you’re back in town?” Nehemiah: “I’m going to deal with this Tobiah problem.” PTTPP&“H”THP: “I don’t think that’s a […]

In 2 Chronicles chapter 10 God tells the story of King Rehoboam. People come to Rehoboam and say, “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.” Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, and he […]

Let’s think about Walter. Walter Hobbs. Walter wants a “reasonable amount” of Christmas in his life, but nothing too crazy. Walter prefers to keep things moderate when it comes to Christmas …he doesn’t want things to get out of hand. Because if you get too carried away, you are risking your reputation as a “sensible […]

The apostle Paul says, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” I believe that part of this “too deep for words” means music. Poetry and lyrics are humanity’s best effort […]