A fitting inscription on the Liberty Bell, but from a “strange” book of the Bible – Jubilee, Part 1

Have you ever visited the Liberty Bell?  I have visited the Liberty Bell at least a couple times, but I could not have told you until this week that the bell has an inscription.  The thing that I remember the most about the bell is that it was cast by bell makers named Pass andContinue reading “A fitting inscription on the Liberty Bell, but from a “strange” book of the Bible – Jubilee, Part 1″

What can we do to allow Jesus’ love to bring peace to America? Post the Ten Commandments in all school classrooms? – Preview

Next week is another Q & A week. Once per quarter I ask people in my congregation for questions or current events suggestions that they would like me to preach about. My goal is to bring biblical theology to bear on that subject to help us think Christianly about the headlines of the day.  IContinue reading “What can we do to allow Jesus’ love to bring peace to America? Post the Ten Commandments in all school classrooms? – Preview”

What not to do when you are sick with desire – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 14, Part 3

This week on the blog, we’re learning how to resolve family drama by observing how King David responds to drama of his own. I’ve said that David, throughout the entirety of his life, seemed to be a drama magnet. But in the previous post, David makes a generously sacrificial gesture to decrease drama. Turn toContinue reading “What not to do when you are sick with desire – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 14, Part 3”

How to examine the condition of your heart – 1st Samuel 21 & 22, Part 5

When you come across a person standing at a busy intersection holding a sign that says “Homeless.  Anything helps,” what thoughts go through your heart and mind? Here are some thoughts that go through my mind: Why don’t they get a job?  They’re probably just ripping people off.  They likely spend the money they get onContinue reading “How to examine the condition of your heart – 1st Samuel 21 & 22, Part 5”

Why a priest was willing to break the law – 1st Samuel 21 & 22, Part 2

Here at Faith Church we have an unending stream of Tastykakes in our freezer because we happen to have an inside connection to Tastykake! If you’ve never had a Tastykake, you need to try Butterscotch Krimpets or Kandy Kakes. I especially love dark chocolate Kandy Kakes with cream filling. Mostly we use the Tastykakes forContinue reading “Why a priest was willing to break the law – 1st Samuel 21 & 22, Part 2”

How to read the Bible – 1st Samuel 21 & 22, Preview

When I teach adjunct classes, I almost always end up sharing a specific article with the class.  It doesn’t matter what the topic of the class is, I find a way to share the article because it is that good.  Could be biblical studies, could be theology, could be interpretational studies, could be church history,Continue reading “How to read the Bible – 1st Samuel 21 & 22, Preview”

It’s healthy “heart” week on the blog – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 1

In my family over the past few months, we’ve talked a lot about the heart.  Our granddaughter has had two open heart surgeries.  Here in Lancaster we have The Heart Group. The Heart Group website lists 55 practitioners who are all there to evaluate your heart.  My guess is that you have a medical practiceContinue reading “It’s healthy “heart” week on the blog – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 1″

The biblical background to 1st Samuel – 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 1

Today we start a new blog series on the life of the great warrior poet king David of ancient Israel.  We read about David’s life in the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1st Kings briefly, and in the parallel account in most of 1st Chronicles chapters 11-29.  This blog series will primarily follow theContinue reading “The biblical background to 1st Samuel – 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 1”

A uniquely Christian approach to…Creating Culture, Part 3

“What is a uniquely Christian approach to changing culture?”  The answer is found in looking at Jesus!  As we will see, he created a new culture, a culture in which people flourished.  Jesus’ new culture had it’s roots long before he became a human. In fact, this new culture started with a family. To aContinue reading “A uniquely Christian approach to…Creating Culture, Part 3”

What is the Sabbath? – John 5:16-30, Part 2

What is the Sabbath? It goes back to Genesis chapter 2, verses 1-3.  Page #2 of your pew Bibles, so you know this is going back to the beginning.  Well, almost.  Actually, we’re going back to the story of creation, and we read it described like a week.  God creates the universe on the firstContinue reading “What is the Sabbath? – John 5:16-30, Part 2”