One of my joys is to hear students say, “I had heard of the Bible before I came here, but I never knew how the whole story was connected. Now I understand why people believe it.” I develop studies to give students an overview of the Bible and its core message, because students ask for […]
. . . This context is given not to upstage the good news, but to emphasize it. The Savior and Lord who brings joy for all has come to the neighborhood! He is the Glory in the most glorious of places, yet he comes to the least! He is the Fulfillment of the world, so […]
. . . This means that we’re talking about history, not mythology. It means that God is interested in the lives of real people. And it means that men such as Caesar Augustus have purposes for what they do, while God has other purposes for what they do. When we begin things, we may have […]
To read this blog click here: Good News 2.5 Caring About this series of reflections . . . in his months of silence, Zechariah noticed what God had been saying all along. God works in power to deliver his people out of fear and shame, out of sin and hate. God works in grace to […]
To read this post click here: Good News 2.4 Status About this series of reflections . . . Both Elizabeth and Mary were vividly conscious that God was working these amazing changes in their lives. They knew they were a part of something God had been doing from ancient times, and that they were experiencing […]
To read this post click here: Good News 2.3 Important About this series of reflections . . . Mary was upset and confused by this messenger. She wondered what was really going on. But the messenger said, “Mary, you can stop fearing. With God you find grace.” God is not the kind of authority who […]
To read this post click here: Good News 2.2 Living About this series of reflections . . . The messenger said, “John will announce God, so that the devotion of the ancestors will be poured upon a new generation, and apathetic minds will be fascinated with God’s ways, in order to get a whole community […]
To read this post click here: Good news 2.1 Story About this series of reflections . . . Names had meaning in that culture. Zechariah means “God remembers.” Abijah means “God is my Father.” Elizabeth means “God is my promise.” The names themselves are introducing us to the kind of God who is making […]
To read this reflection click here: What Kind of Kingdom.docx The Bible begins with a picture of a perfect relationship—with God, with each other, in a beautiful place. The Bible ends with a picture of God’s new community—glorious, full of light and color, beautiful trees and a shining river flowing from the throne of God, […]
Luke 2.21 The Great Divide Those who follow Jesus usually think that is a decision that has already been made—no turning back. And it is true that Jesus is the Savior now and forever. But given enough time, life shows us that following Him in faith is not always that simple. We find ourselves […]