This week I’m celebrating the publication of my book. While there is no doubt that the process of writing is often a solo endeavor, the reality is that a book cannot come to fruition without a lot of people supporting, encouraging and advising the writer. That team approach is certainly true of my book, whichContinue reading “Introducing ancient superheroes of the Bible – 2 Samuel 23:8–39, Preview”
Tag Archives: individualism
Personal Bible study is deficient, Preview
Do you have personal devotions? How about a quiet time? Maybe you read the Daily Bread? Maybe you use a phone app. I really like an app called Lectio 365. Some people try to read the through Bible in a year. There are all sorts of ways people read and study Scripture. So much ofContinue reading “Personal Bible study is deficient, Preview”
How a hidden camera can help American Christians improve…Meeting together, Part 3
Imagine you are in a building like a hospital or office high-rise. You’ve just finished an important meeting on one of the upper floors, so you head for the bank of elevators. After pressing the down button, you wait until your elevator is ready, and the doors open. What you see inside surprises you. The elevator is nearly full,Continue reading “How a hidden camera can help American Christians improve…Meeting together, Part 3”
How solo can a person’s relationship with God be and still be faithful? – Meeting together, Preview
It’s been in the news, so I suspect many of you have heard the dire reports. Christian worship service attendance across our nation is down. Way down. One report notes that in the past 30 years, 40 million people have stopped participating in the life and worship of their houses of worship. That decline isContinue reading “How solo can a person’s relationship with God be and still be faithful? – Meeting together, Preview”
Why Christians should not be like John Wayne – John 13:1-17, Part 3
Peter knows his culture. A rabbi does not do servant’s work. That’s why Jesus’ disciple Peter responds to Jesus as he does in John 13, verse 6, “Jesus came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’” Anyone else there should be washing Jesus’ feet. That was theContinue reading “Why Christians should not be like John Wayne – John 13:1-17, Part 3”
How Jesus’ baptism upends American individualism – Advent 2022, Week 3, Part 4
In March 2023 I’m traveling to India to teach in my denomination’s seminary there. Initially, I was going alone, and I thought it might be a good opportunity for a solo adventure. As I invited people to preach at Faith Church for me, one of my friends asked if, instead of preaching in my absence,Continue reading “How Jesus’ baptism upends American individualism – Advent 2022, Week 3, Part 4”
The dangerous ideology of “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” – Ezekiel 25-28, Part 4
“Pull yourself up by your bootstraps!” That phrase is an American anthem of sorts, pointing to an idea embedded in our history and culture, that we are individuals who have the power and ability to survive and thrive if we just work hard enough. But is this principle true? Even the task described in theContinue reading “The dangerous ideology of “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” – Ezekiel 25-28, Part 4″
Engaging Scripture 