Year: 2006

  • Homogenized

    that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me and I in you.  May they also may be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  John 17:21 (NIV) May Be One – In my city, there are 700 churches.  That fact alone must break…

  • John’s Preposition

    If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth   1 John 1:6 With – What’s so important about a preposition?  Who cares about those little words like in, over, before, or about?  If you’re reading John’s New Testament contributions, there’s at least…

  • Body and Soul

    no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and to the Lord.   Philemon 16 Flesh – Only once.  This verse, in this shortest of Paul’s letters, holds the distinction of being the only place in the entire…

  • At Snail’s Pace?

    I tell you that He will bring about justice for them speedily.   Luke 18:8 Speedily – If it weren’t for this word, we would have no argument with Jesus.  If it weren’t for this word, we would stand beside Martha at the tomb of her brother and acknowledge the last judgment.  If it weren’t for…

  • You Are What You Make

    Those who make them will become like them, everyone who trusts in them.   Psalm 115:8 Like Them – There is an inexorable law of God’s universe found in every creative act.  It applies to everyone.  There are no exceptions.  Put simply, it is “You are what you make.”  The Psalmist summarizes a long description of…

  • One Condition

    No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly  Psalm 84:11 Uprightly – I want tov in my life – all those prosperous, useful, beneficial things that God has designed into my plan and purpose.  Amazingly, God wants to give them to me.  But there are two ends to the delivery chain –…

  • Spock was Hebrew

    No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly  Psalm 84:11 Good – “Live long and prosper,” is the Vulcan greeting in Star Trek.  Spock might as well have used the Hebrew word tov.  Occurring 738 times in the Old Testament, the general idea of tov is utilitarian.  To be “good” is to…

  • Retirement Planning

    No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly  Psalm 84:11 Withhold – Start now!  Save.  Watch your resources carefully.  Retirement, the golden age of relaxation, is a big seller these days.  Entire communities are billed as “retirement living.”  The advertisement on the radio says, “Will you outlive your money or will your…

  • What Binds Me

    You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies   Psalm 23:5 Enemies – Who is my enemy?  Is he the one who stands against me with sword in hand?  Is he the one with a bomb concealed in a bag?  Is he the one with a finger on the trigger?  Or the…

  • Displaying the Obvious

    You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies   Psalm 23:5 In the presence of – If you are going to enjoy the feast God is arranging, you will have to give up your microwave mentality.  God is a gourmet chef.  He takes His time.  And when everything is ready, He presents…