Happy New Year, Friends! 2 Timothy 1:3-18 is my favorite passage to meditate on as I begin a new year, partly because of the simple, memorable, three-point outline below.[1] In an effort to share it with you as clearly as possible, after some introductory remarks related to 3-5, I’ll offer some reflective thoughts and questions after each point and relevant … Read More
Properly Understanding Mal. 4:6, Part 2 of 2
Identifying “the Fathers” of Malachi 4:6: Parents, Biological Fathers, or Jewish Forefathers? As we mentioned in Part 1, this week we’re going to examine arguments for each of the above, make a case for the third, and conclude with some important applications. First, let’s mark out the possibilities: Parents: Less literal translations like the New Living Translation (NLT) are not … Read More
Dads and Daughters
We noted last week and here that, although the later part of Psalm 127 focuses more on sons, the first part of the psalm includes all children, male and female alike: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” In thinking about daughters specifically, I’ve found Job 42:10-17—another section in the wisdom literature … Read More
Ten Foundational Beliefs for Building a Christian Legacy, Part 2 of 2
Last week, along with going to a good church—where often one first learns to belong and then believe, we suggested ten essential beliefs for building a Christian life and legacy. In part 1 we noted the first five—hope, grace, humility, the fear of the Lord, and sin—and here are the remaining five: Spirituality, a word that can mean many things … Read More
Choosing Dancing Over Depression
“Life is a gift. We must celebrate it. We have to dance to show God we are grateful to be alive.” Rosie played by Scarlett Johansson in Jojo Rabbit Well, we’re over a month in on this crazy Coronavirus rollercoaster. Just three weeks ago, in the midst of trying to launch a book, I was struggling like many of you … Read More
The Book Launch Series, Part 3 of 4
***One more week till the paperback is available! The Missing Lyrics I found out when I was almost ready to publish How I Became a Christian Despite the Church that you have to pay royalties for using more than one line of a song in something sold for commercial purposes. AND that you have to do this even if you … Read More
How a Closer Look at a Christmas Prophecy Could Transform Your New Year
When Ahaz, son of Jotham and grandson of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Syriaa and Pekah son of Remaliah, the king of Israel, set out to attack Jerusalem…. The news had come to the royal court of Judah: “Syria is allied with Israel against us!” So the hearts of the king and his people trembled with fear, … Read More
Finding Treasure in Unlikely Places, Part 1 of 5
Corrie Ten Boom wasn’t as sexy as Diana Rigg in the British cult-classic The Avengers or Maggie Q in Designated Survivor but she was the real deal. A spy who risked her life to save the world and protect the innocent. In her book, The Hiding Place, she tells about a time she was in prison as a result of … Read More
Why I Believe in a Loving Creator
Let the godly sing for joy to the LORD;it is fitting for the pure to praise him…The LORD merely spoke,and the heavens were created.He breathed the word,and all the stars were born.He assigned the sea its boundariesand locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.Let the whole world fear the LORD,and let everyone stand in awe of him.For when he spoke, the world … Read More
The Double Helix of Faith and Family, Part 2 of 4: Illustrated
I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. -2 Tim. 1:5, NLT; words in bold, mine There was a spiritual strength and stability that my grandparents on my mom’s side brought to our family just by their proximity. My … Read More
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