“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast [rejoice] in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast [rejoice] in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, … Read More
Beyond the Table in the Mist
Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain [fleeting] life that he has given you under the sun, … Read More
How to Please God
There is no greater arrogance than not to desire to be justified by faith in Christ.[1] -Luther In keeping with celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, I wanted to do two posts on how we are justified before God. In other words, how do we make peace with God? How do we please Him? All Christians care deeply about … Read More
Back to School to Honor a Good Man
I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me… so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I give thanks to you forever. (Psa. 30:1,2,12, NRSV) … Read More
Stealing Ecclesiastes Back!
In the opening track, “Helter Skelter,” of U2’s 1988 Rattle & Hum, Bono shouts, “This is a song Charles Manson stole from the Beatles and we’re stealing it back!” In the same way, Ecclesiastes is a book that the New International Version’s (NIV) translation of “vanity” as “meaningless” has stolen from many, and I want to steal it back! Rather … Read More
I Can’t Seem to Change
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. –Oscar Wilde As a carpenter, it’s no secret I’ve installed a lot of windows. The time I jumped out of one, however, is something I’ve kept hidden until now. I’ll explain below. The Christian faith teaches that the ground is level at the foot of … Read More
Why I’m Pro-Life
I remember when reports announced that Princess Kate of England was pregnant. Even the most secular news outlets immediately began talking about the child in her womb as an heir to the throne… But doesn’t the dignity we conferred on a ‘royal’ baby apply also to countless other ‘ordinary’ babies whose lives are no less significant?[1] For me, being pro-life … Read More
How to Enjoy Reading More
***This article is the second in a four-part series. I can build a bookcase better than most (yeah, that’s me over 20 years ago!), but I hang my hat with those who identify as “slow readers.” Often, I must read something over several times to understand it. Nevertheless, I have come to love reading. Yes, enjoying reading more is a … Read More
Stick Around for a While and Find Out
“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance … Read More