The Perfection Syndrome

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 NASB Life – Life is a paradox. In this verse, Paul presents us with one of the most paradoxical truths of existence. What seems like “life” to those whose worldview is determined by…

Trail Theology

He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me on my high places. 2 Samuel 22:34 NASB My high places – “Just keep going up. At first you won’t see it, but just keep going up.” We were four miles into the climb. Not a hike. A climb. Every step was altitude gain. And…

The Anti-Martyr

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 NASB To die – Jack Nicholson delivered the classic line in the movie, The Departed. “We all die. Live accordingly.” But how many of us think like this? We are so busy with life that we forget its true meaning is…

Vive la Differénce (2)

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV Choose – Do it early! Choose when you are young. Isn’t it interesting that the Hebrew verb bahar (to choose,…

A Living Reality

for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ Acts 17:28 NASB Exist – Talk to a philosopher about existence and you will soon be discussing the idea of “being.” What is, is. Why it is is the great question….

Just a Small Change

O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise. Psalm 51:15 NASB That – So what is David really saying? Is he saying that he is unable to praise YHVH because YHVH has not opened his lips? Or is he saying that if YHVH opens his lips, then he will praise Him?…

The Genesis of Psalms

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1 NASB Within me – What is within? The immediate temptation is to answer with a Greek worldview. What is within in my spirit. But how would we answer this question as a Hebrew? First, we would look…

Gestation Period

But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:60 NASB Dead – When do you think you will be born? When will God start what He has finished with you? It’s nice that the NLT adds “spiritually…

After the End (2)

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12 NASB Joy – Is gladness missing…

Paying Attention

“‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”  Matthew 22:32  NASB The living – “Scarcely anywhere else on earth has the mystery of death so moved and fascinated people as in the valley of the…