Reflections & Commentary Beyond the Sunday Sermon
In a previous post, I considered what might be the cause standing behind our experience of devotions as drudgery. Boiled down, I proposed that the problem stems from asking the wrong questions when it comes to devotional practice. When we consider Scripture reading and prayer, our minds tend towards a question like “How long?” rather than the more basic question, “Why?”
Read MoreMy heart sank on Monday night when I learned that Pat Orlinski had passed away. Despite all her recent physical hardships, there was no indication that she would be leaving us so soon. Death is always the worst of surprises.
Read MoreMy devotional life is a work in progress. It’s not what I want it to be. I’m easily and willfully distracted – slowing down to do devotions brings me face to face with worries and situations I’d much rather avoid. But, boy, do I need that time with God.
Read MorePastor Scott’s exposition of Isaiah 31 this Sunday sounded God’s word of repentance to Israel upon our own ears. From this word, verses 6 and 7 stand out boldly in the chapter:
Read MoreIn Sunday’s text, I highlighted how God’s word of promise in Isaiah 30:20-21 ultimately points to Christ:
20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. 21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. [Isaiah 30:20-21 ESV]
Read MoreThis past Sunday’s reading of Isaiah 29 has brought to mind a point of reflection that has often come upon me. This reflection is particularly prompted by verse 13 of Isaiah 29 wherein the Lord says, "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.”
Read MoreSometimes, Scripture just grabs you. I’m thankful that when God revealed himself through the written Word that he wielded all the gifts of verbal artistry given to the human writers. Certain parts of Scripture require great attention and perseverance in seeking understanding. Others are so clear, so familiar, that they can knock us upside the head straightaway.
Read MoreI grew in my faith when I went on the “BICS trip” to the Holy Land. However, that growth came about in a way that I did not at all expect when I set out on the trip…
Read MoreI love it when the biblical text takes my sermon to the struggle of trusting God. My love for this topic springs from my own personal struggle in this area.
Read MoreAs I’m sure was the case for most of you, my mind was overcast this past Sunday by the violent events of the weekend, particularly by the El Paso tragedy.
Read Moret's a question that none of us can answer, but one that is/should be of concern to us all. It should be of concern even to those of us without children in the home, because in a very real, though different, sense the children in our church are our children.
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