Envy is a terrible thing

I have been doing some reading and studying on the topic of envy the past week or so. And the results are giving me that sort of ‘trembly’ feeling inside.
“A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones” Proverbs 14:30
God, in his mercy, has put me in several situations [...]

Singing the Word

I have rather belatedly decided on a few new years resolutions. A few weeks ago I was somewhat snickering at people who were making those temporary-just-do-it-to-feel-better-now sort of vows. I don’t like committing to something that I am going to give up on in a week.
But I have been provoked. First by some near friends [...]

I am afraid of hunger

I think I am afraid of being hungry. I have just begun a study on the Song of Songs. It has already stirred and convicted me. Even as I begin this study, my mind is racing around with all the things I could do instead, and my stomach is sending ice-cream cravings to my brain… [...]

Meditations on John

I have been reading and re-reading John 14-17 for the last week or so. For my Gospel of John study, I decided to do a ‘manuscript’ study. Basically, I copied and pasted the bible (NASB) from Biblegateway onto a word document. I deleted all the verse breaks, titles and chapter breaks. Ending up with a [...]

Meditation on True Joy

Have you ever heard the story of Saint Francis of Accissi and his explanation of true joy? I have been pondering it a lot the last few months. The full story can be read here. To sum it up, St. Francis was walking with Brother Leo and he told the following story: They arrive at the [...]

Israel & the wailing wall

Or Romans 10:1. Yep that is the subject of my lesson today with the 3,4, and 5 yr olds!

I have been pondering and wrestling over how to teach the kids the apostolic prayer “My hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved…”. How do you teach young children an [...]

The second trumpet

I have been pondering the trumpet judgments as I proceed through my outline of Revelation.
I spent some time a few months ago researching the 1st trumpet – what is the impact on the world with losing 1/3rd of the trees? My first thought is that there will be a dramatic increase in CO2 – carbon [...]

Conclusion to Hosea

After 6 months of study, I finished Hosea last night. It was a whirlwind – 3 chapters in 2 hours! A new record! A few highlights of my night.
12.1 ‘Ephraim feeds on the wind’ ~ I love that picture for the futility of pursuing idolatry or lusts or sin
12.5 ‘The Lord God of hosts. The [...]

The Thracian Javelin!

I have recently spent some time researching the ‘thracian javelin’. Actually the term in the Greek is ‘Romphaia’ or ‘Rhomphaia’. The word is usually translated as ’sword’. The only occurances of this word in the NT is in 1) The ’sword’ that is prophesied to pierce Mary’s soul, 2) The sword that comes out of [...]