From Bartleby.com, this classic by John Donne (I believe the underlying work is public domain): Batter my heart, three person’d God; for, you As yet but knocke, breathe, shine, and seeke to mend; That I may rise, and stand, o’erthrow mee,’and bend Your force, to breake, blowe, burn and make me new. I, like an…
Tag: God
The Result of Double Faith
Between a couple trips through all 66 (and Bible studying) I've read every word in Scripture more than once, yet I still run into stuff I don't ever remember seeing before. Sure, it could just be that I've got an awful memory, but instead it seems to me that God's written word is like a…
Was it a Bad Bird?
In my last sermon I mentioned how social media options like Twitter and Facebook are great places to get topics for talks and articles, but there is one thing that definitely beats both hands-down… The utterances and actions of a 4 year-old. 🙂 A couple weeks back I had a bunch of stuff to bring…
“I’m Sorry if I Offended You”
Although there are myriad other reasons to be aggravated with politicians and government leaders, perhaps one of the most annoying is how they apologize. First, they are unlikely to actually admit they did anything wrong—for instance, they don't say, "I'm sorry I said something really stupid." Instead, they proffer an equivocation like, "I'm sorry if…
Three Strikes You’re In
Growing up in Canaan, New Hampshire without a whole bunch of pocket change, baseball was something that entertained my friends and me because it didn't take more than a ball and a glove to enjoy it. Well, it generally was better if there were at least two gloves. 🙂 I suppose just like cricket in…
Fear or Friendship
In yesterday’s Bible reading this quote made me think a bit: Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we…
An Indian Big Mac
If you grew up in the 70's you probably remember hearing this jingle (perhaps even sang it yourself): Two all beef patties, Special sauce, Lettuce, cheese, Pickles, onions, On a sesame seed bun What was that an ad for? Do you remember? Or did the title of this article give it away? 🙂 The McDonald's…
Reacting to the News (Colossians 1:3-14)
History Lesson Before we continue in Colossians…we got a whole 2 verses done last week :-)…I wanted to share a quick history lesson. As I wrote those words I could just imagine some of the boys in the front row looking less than enthused at the idea. 🙂 You probably think you get tortured enough…
It Isn’t His Quarterbacking That Glorifies God (UPDATED)
First, I don’t personally believe that God interferes with NFL football games. I'm not saying He never has or He never will… But I don't think Tim Tebow, leading the Broncos, has won because of God’s divine intervention. Although, I will admit, after the way that Denver/Pittsburgh play-off game ended, it sure seems like more…
Sodom, but Not Isaac?
So, as I was reading through today’s verses (reading through all 66 in 2012), it hit me. Back in Genesis 18:22-33, Abraham tries to get Sodom and Gomorrah off the hook, actually (respectfully) arguing a bit with God about it (although notice his concern for God’s reputation). However, in Genesis 22:1-14 we hear God tell…
Too Big for Our Britches
Although having newer Nissans (under warranty) means Michelle and I generally take our cars to the dealer for service, I have a mechanic friend, Paul, who I trust completely when it comes to what should or shouldn't be done with our vehicles. If Paul were ever to suggest something that didn't make sense to me,…
Giving God What He Needs
Do you enjoy movies that involve angels? Although I do, I worry that secular films with biblical themes can cause us to confuse that which is actually in Scripture with what is just in the imagination of a Hollywood writer. Regardless, a while back Michelle, Mikey, and I watched Legion, whose overall plot is that…
Who Knows?
"Whatever." How many people have heard that word as a declaration of exasperation? Now, change the punctuation… "Whatever!" And the exasperation graduates to anger. Go one step further and put it in the mouth of a teenager…and a parent might best translate it as a two word obscene utterance (where the kid can get the…
Indubitably
Power outage I don’t know if anyone noticed, but last week’s sermon was shorter than normal. Good news for those of you who prefer briefer talks…this one will likely be too. The kids are probably praying it becomes the norm. 🙂 Either way, assuming you all were in the area this past Thursday, what did…
20 Days
Perhaps one of the worst reports we can hear is that of a baby unexpectedly passing away overnight. As a parent of a three year-old, I don't want to even consider what it would mean to tuck my tike into bed one evening and then find he's no longer breathing in the morning. Can anyone…