My church rents space to four other groups of Christians, and those groups describe themselves with a variety labels that indicate their relative age. First Baptist Church, as you can see in its name, is an established local church, older, I believe, than my church. The Orthodox group, however, calls themselves a fellowship. An establishedContinue reading “When does a church become a church? – 2 Thessalonians 1, Part 2”
Monthly Archives: November 2021
Introducing our Advent 2021 series – 2 Thessalonians 1, Part 1
For this Advent season, I thought it would be good to study a lesser-known book of the Bible that relates to Advent. This letter didn’t originally relate to Advent. Advent was a season of the year that Christians created many years after this letter was written. But because Advent mean “arrival,” I think you’ll seeContinue reading “Introducing our Advent 2021 series – 2 Thessalonians 1, Part 1”
The important connection between Sci-fi and Advent – 2 Thessalonians 1, Preview
How do you feel about science fiction? Are you a sci-fi lover? A sci-fi hater? I love sci-fi. I love pretty much any sub-genre within the larger sci-fi umbrella. What’s not to love? Time travel, futuristic technology, spaceships, lasers, intergalactic travel, and of course, aliens. Sci-fi has it all! I recently started watching a newContinue reading “The important connection between Sci-fi and Advent – 2 Thessalonians 1, Preview”
How to think Christianly about America (or any nation) – Ezekiel 29-32, Part 5
This week we have been studying the rise and fall of great powers, because we learned about the fall of Egypt as prophesied by Ezekiel in Ezekiel 29-32. In the previous post, we learned that in recent history, the rise and fall of great powers is controlled by economics. So we have to ask, whatContinue reading “How to think Christianly about America (or any nation) – Ezekiel 29-32, Part 5”
What is the cause of the rise and fall of the great powers – Ezekiel 29-32, Part 4
When I traveled with Michelle to Cambodia in 2016, we visited Angkor Wat, one of the seven wonders of the world. It is astounding. Ancient temples built a thousand years ago reminding us that there used to be a super power there, the Khmer Kingdom. It was a far-reaching kingdom, a superpower in Southeast Asia. Continue reading “What is the cause of the rise and fall of the great powers – Ezekiel 29-32, Part 4”
The graveyard of world superpowers – Ezekiel 29-32, Part 3
This week on the blog we are studying Ezekiel chapters 29-32, which are all prophecies about the destruction of Egypt. In the previous posts, here and here, we learned that God said in chapter 29, that Egypt, a regional superpower was going to be attacked by Babylon, and would never again have a position ofContinue reading “The graveyard of world superpowers – Ezekiel 29-32, Part 3”
The surprise identity of the original Crocodile Hunter – Ezekiel 29-32, Part 2
September 4, 2021, was the 15th anniversary of the death of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. Steve Irwin was a fascinating man, but ultimately his life’s passion of interacting with dangerous wildlife led to his demise. I was surprised to learn this week that Irwin was actually not the original Crocodile Hunter. Who was theContinue reading “The surprise identity of the original Crocodile Hunter – Ezekiel 29-32, Part 2”
Do world events scare you? – Ezekiel 29-32, Part 1
Did you hear the news that China’s military has created full scale outlines of American Naval vessels in their deserts? Satellite images show that one of the models of US warship is on rails so that it can be moved. Why? To practice bombing them? Or maybe you heard that China has developed hyper-sonic missilesContinue reading “Do world events scare you? – Ezekiel 29-32, Part 1”
Which is right (or better), “God Bless America” or “God Bless The Whole World”? – Ezekiel 29-32, Preview
As Americans, I suspect I am in safe territory thinking that most, if not all, of us are familiar with the song, “God Bless America.” Irving Berlin published the song in the fall of 1938 when the world situation was looking very gloomy. Less than twelve months later, Nazi Germany would invade Poland throwing EuropeContinue reading “Which is right (or better), “God Bless America” or “God Bless The Whole World”? – Ezekiel 29-32, Preview”
How to be a good neighbor, locally and globally – Current Events November 2021, Part 5
So, who is your neighbor? In this Current Events week on the blog, we’ve been talking about neighbors and how we are called to love them. When Faith Church rented space in our building to Burmese Christians, we made new neighbors. This week we’ve been learning about the very difficult situation our Burmese neighbors haveContinue reading “How to be a good neighbor, locally and globally – Current Events November 2021, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 