Yesterday, Caleb and I went to Houston where I preached for the New Beginnings Church. It was my third time to preach there, but my first to bring one of my boys along. Before the gathering started, we were sitting up front and Caleb was thumbing through the Gospel of Mark in my Bible. He […]
Do Not Worry
In Matthew 6: 31-34 Jesus says, “So do not worry, saying, ?What shall we eat?? or ?What shall we drink?? or ?What shall we wear?? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will […]
November 29, 2009 by 2 Comments
Do We Follow the Bible or Jesus?
I’ve been thinking a lot about what Jesus means in Matthew 5:17-20. He calls his disciples to a righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees. How is this possible? I think it’s possible by following Jesus and his interpretation of Scripture as articulated through is words and embodied by his deeds. What is the difference […]
December 3, 2008 by 24 Comments
In a Nutshell
In The Reason for God, Tim Keller tells about how Flannery O’Connor was once asked to put the meaning of one of her stories “in a nutshell.” She responded that, if she could have put the meaning into a nutshell, she wouldn’t have had to write the story. I love it. How many times do […]
September 8, 2008 by 2 Comments
Read Your Bible!
According to Greg Hawkins and the folks who did the reveal study at Willow Creek, the number one most catalytic spiritual practice for moving people toward Christlikenss is . . . daily Bible reading and reflection.
May 2, 2008 by 9 Comments
A Good Reading is Better than a Right One
Let’s take the following statements out for a walk and see if they bark: Any interpretation of scripture that equips us for Christlikeness is a valid one. I don’t care what your professor told you, there is a difference between a “right” reading of scripture and a “good” reading. Any reading of Scripture that shapes […]
April 30, 2008 by 29 Comments
A Theology of Food Part 4
So why does food play such a central role in the Bible? Because we can’t live without it. Why does Jesus describe himself in terms of food from heaven? Because we can’t really live without him. It’s no accident that God embeds so much meaning and significance in an everyday object that we can’t live […]
November 23, 2006 by 4 Comments
A Theology of Food Part 3
Food plays a major role in Jesus’ life and ministry. In the wilderness, Jesus is tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread. Jesus refuses and quotes Deuteronomy 8:3. For his first miracle, Jesus turns water into wine. He won’t turn stones into bread, but he will turn water into wine. I like that. During […]
November 22, 2006 by 2 Comments
A Theology of Food Part 2
In Scripture, food points to the gracious provision of God. Genesis 1:29-30 (NIV) 29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth […]
November 21, 2006 by 2 Comments
A Theology of Food
Despite what those who jumped the gun back in October might have us believe, this week is the official start of the Holiday Eating Season. Researchers estimate that the average American gains one pound between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. I take pride in being above average in this regard. Let’s forget about moderation. Let’s […]
November 20, 2006 by 2 Comments
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons