Category Archives: Bible and Theology

What God says through scripture, and how people work to understand it.

Who’s Amazed?

Yesterday I was inspired with a thought from Ken Johnson’s Baccalaureate sermon at New Hope Christian College. Ken is Lead Pastor at Westside Church in Bend, Oregon. The thought below started during his message on Amazement, but carries my personal … Continue reading

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A Day in the Garden

As I sat in my LaZBoy, feeling the pain of a full day spent working the yard, I wondered why I felt so good. My muscles and joints do not feel good — they are complaining about getting back to … Continue reading

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God’s Definition of “Abundance”

I still like John 10:10: “I come that they might have life, and life abundantly.” However, what “abundance” (or “rich, satisfying”) means has changed over the years. I used to equate “abundance” with lots of money, or undisturbed comfort. This … Continue reading

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How to Approach the Bible

“We must learn to read the Bible at the level of the informed imagination (Michael Card in Luke: The Gospel of Amazement.) Later on, Card explains that some people approach the Bible with just their “heads” — an intellectual curiosity. … Continue reading

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The Great Things

“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these great truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others (2 Timothy 2:2, NLT).” This is the … Continue reading

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Is there theology in new music?

A friend of mine, Michael Jay, recently posted on Facebook a beautiful tribute to the theology found in hymns. In fact, he said he thought the theology in hymns was richer than the theology in formal statements of faith. This … Continue reading

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Team Work and Practicalities

Today I am reading Called to Reach: Equipping Cross-Cultural Disciplers by William R. Yount & Mike Barnett. This is the text for the class I am helping to teach at New Hope Christian College. “Teaching Teams” is a major theme … Continue reading

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Suffering Pastors

We do not like to suffer, usually we do not like to hear about other people’s suffering; yet it is in suffering that we grow spiritually and it is through shared suffering that we grow community. Out of Ur blog … Continue reading

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Pain, Pain, Go Away

This is one of those when I feel I’d be doing much better without a body. I have tennis elbow that incapacitates my right arm. Today I went to the chiropractor because I cannot stand up long enough to walk … Continue reading

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New resources for today’s struggles

Yesterday I had an inspiring visit with a new pastor friend about hope. We were both wondering if the Biblical sense of “hope” was not just assurance of heaven, but conviction about God’s activity on our behalf today. My Bible … Continue reading

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