The missive starts out “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.” And of course many people immediately wonder to themselves, “I thought Peter was fired after Matthew 16:22-23 and his misconduct in Antioch (see Galatians 2:11-14)!?!?” Nope. Peter wasn’t fired because he did John 4:29, Matthew 3:8, Matthew 9:13 , Romans 7:24, and […]
It is good to live with weaker vessels in an understanding way, showing honor to weaker vessels. (e.g. Luke 2:49-51 …12 year old Jesus of Nazareth is being understanding and showing honor to Mary as a weaker vessel in this scene). It is good to have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, […]
“I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to […]
We are addressed/identified as… exiles of the Dispersion! We are to think of ourselves (and we are to be regarded) as sojourners …like Hadassah (a.k.a. Esther), Daniel (a.k.a. Belteshazzar), Hananiah (a.k.a. Shadrach), Mishael (a.k.a. Meshach), and Azariah (a.k.a. Abednego). And we are ALL ABOUT/FOR —> obedience to Jesus Christ and ALL ABOUT/FOR —> sprinkling with […]
I was meeting with The Boss recently, and I was telling Him about a particular frustration. And The Boss said, “What are you scared of?” And I said, “I’m not scared …I’m frustrated.” And The Boss said, “You’re scared.” And I said, “Why would you say that to me!? I’m complaining to You about someone […]
Thanksgiving is almost here. Families will be gathering. Every family has that person who always has an explanation for their lamentable behavior (e.g. “I was just joking.” “I’m misunderstood.” “I’m being vilified for no reason.” “I had a physical ailment, and I am the victim.” Etc.). What this person doesn’t have is – – – […]
Judah, son of Leah (Part I) The instinct to keep the shameful details of my story hidden was very strong. On some level, the decision to reveal the truth was (and is) a mystery to me. Certainly, there are moments when I wish people didn’t know; there are those who criticize and cast scorn, but […]
“Dear reader, you have to understand the point of all these stories. What they add up to. Schererazade was trying to make the king human again. She made him love life by showing him all of it, the funny parts about poop, the dangerous parts with demons, even the boring parts about what makes marriages […]
“I learned the first rule of repentance: that repentance requires greater intimacy with God than with our sin. How much greater? About the size of a mustard seed. Repentance requires that we draw near to Jesus, no matter what. And sometimes we all have to crawl there on our hands and knees. Repentance is an […]