Old and New Testament Thinking

Remember the Sunday School song: “Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he. He climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see…” What’s the significance of the sycamore tree? A sycamore tree produces figs, but they are such poor quality that they aren’t eaten by people… Read More

The jig’s up

David was tired of going to war as the Lord commanded, so he took a little vacation. Then he saw this woman—WOWSERS! What a woman! They were two consenting adults—where was the harm? Secret lust. Secret sex. But it’s hard to keep pregnancy secret for too long—and this secret was out before they ever got… Read More

Colossians 4:5-6 Living in community

Act toward others as you would have them act toward you. Love you neighbor as yourself.   Colossians 4:5-6 (New Living Translation) Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.   Colossians 4:5-6… Read More

No excuses

Read the story of the Lord’s rejection of Saul as king of Israel in 1 Samuel 15. God gave a very specific set of instructions, which Saul listened to, then went ahead and did his own thing. (Sound familiar?) The prophet Samuel was sent by God to confront Saul. Saul told Samuel, “I obeyed the… Read More

Colossians 4:3-4 We pray. God responds.

If you are a Christian, your actions and your words should be reflections of God’s words that light up your heart. That is every Christian’s calling. There are those who are called to do this as their vocation–devote their lives to spreading God’s Good News. And they need our prayers. Our prayers of thanks, intercession,… Read More

Prayer and work go hand-in-hand

Pray about everything. Then pray some more. But at some point, we have to quit praying and start acting. ~Mark Batterson in Draw the Circle: The 40 day prayer challenge Mark Batterson makes the point in Draw the Circle: The 40 day prayer challenge that we get spiritually stuck when we misunderstand our role as followers of Jesus… Read More

Colossians 4:2 Pray all day

What does prayer look like? There is not just one way to pray, but as you live, you pray. Like Tim Tebow: down on one knee with head bowed. In a closet, alone with God. In a group without saying a word. Lying prone. Driving your car with your eyes wide open. Crying. Laughing. Angry.… Read More