If you listen closely to the vows couples exchange during a wedding ceremony (whether they are traditional or ones they have written), they all have the same intent and purpose and say the same thing. They are promises that each will commit themselves to the attitudes and actions conducive to happy, healthy marriage. No oneContinue reading “Baptism And Wedding Vows”
Category Archives: Romans
Don’t Hold Back!
This is My body, which is given for you (Luke 22:19 ESV). When we come to these words marking the institution of the Lord’s Supper or communion, we would do well to take off our shoes because we are standing on holy ground. What was purposed in eternity was about to come to fruition. EverythingContinue reading “Don’t Hold Back!”
Experiencing The Word Of God
Our family has always liked to hike and over the years we’ve had the opportunity to do so in several states (almost always at state parks). The one thing none of us are blessed with is a great sense of direction, so we appreciate the fact that the trails are always color coded. Most ofContinue reading “Experiencing The Word Of God”
Eight-Sided Baptisteries And The Resurrection Of Jesus
There are two rites/ceremonials acts that God has given the church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Both of these are simple actions that symbolize much deeper, greater realities. Singing is singing and praying is praying, but when it comes to baptism and the Supper, there’s something more than what meets the eye. There is water,Continue reading “Eight-Sided Baptisteries And The Resurrection Of Jesus”
Big Wheel, Little Wheel
Grace is a gift (Romans 5:15ff). It is freely given (Romans 3:22-24; Ephesians 1:6). It cannot be earned or merited. It is undeserved. Like oil and water, grace and these things are mutually exclusive of each other. If it can be earned, it’s not grace. If it is of grace, then it cannot be earned. This is exactly the point Paul makes in RomansContinue reading “Big Wheel, Little Wheel”
Waiting Or Walking?
I read a short story about a man in the basement of a building over one-hundred stories high. He was standing in front of a bank of elevators. The lights on them were flashing as they charted the floors the elevators were traveling to. And though they made frequent stops on the ground floor aboveContinue reading “Waiting Or Walking?”
Splinters
Splinters are no fun. We probably all have some early memories of having them removed. It was uncomfortable, painful—perhaps even traumatic if we were young enough. Of course, as we got older, splinters were still no fun, but the drama dialed back as we were able to put them into perspective and see them forContinue reading “Splinters”
Some Background For Romans 9-11
Paul had never been to Rome and he was eager to go there. Many disciples might have found the city intimidating with its pantheon of gods—which included the imperial cult that worshipped Rome and its emperors. To go to the Eternal City proclaiming that Jesus was Lord (rather than Nero) was something that could beContinue reading “Some Background For Romans 9-11”
Sincerely (But No Longer) Yours
Paul’s statement, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1), is a crescendo he has been building toward from the beginning of his letter (1:16ff). As such, it is embedded with a richness that is easy to overlook. He’s saying something more than we’ve been forgiven of our sins (andContinue reading “Sincerely (But No Longer) Yours”
Selling Out To Good
Finn Daly is six years old and lives in West Hartford, Connecticut. He has Down Syndrome and autism. He also has a great love and appreciation for our country’s flag. He can sit on the floor of his house and look through the storm door at the flag flying outside for long periods of time.Continue reading “Selling Out To Good”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 