That frigid morning, just before the sun was cresting in the east, we headed down the mountain from Red River - falling snow just visible in streetlights of the town. The road was icy, and descent was slow, as pre-dawn light began to filter through the darkness in the shrouded, wintry sky that parted to reveal a thread of blue. But now, at dawn, the snow began to thin. we saw them just in time to veer away— a herd of sheep had gathered on the road, eyes on the rising sun of Christmas Day. How long we…
Read moreBreathe In, Breathe out...
Jesus Movement Memories
It was Salem Oregon for the Jesus Northwest festival.
The promoter was expecting around 10,000 and over 40,000 people showed up. Everyone from Pat Boone, Keith Green, B. J. Thomas, Hal Lindsey, David Wilkerson, and so many more preachers and bands were invited.
I think this was the final evening and The Hope of Glory broke into Power in the Blood. Andrae, Leon Patillo and Tim Archer came out and joined us. Of course, Andrae pretty much took over. Mike Barnes was playing keys for us at that time and is…
Read moreThe Violence Conundrum (Part 2)
…a continuation of Matthew 11:12
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”
Hello again friends,
As we noted yesterday in our study of Matthew 11:12, this verse seems to show a great deal of violence associated with the kingdom of Heaven. However, this stands in stark contrast to the rest of Jesus’ teaching.
In my studies, I found an old rabbinic interpretation in the midrash dealing with Micah 2:12-13. (The midrash is an ancient…
Read moreThe Violence Conundrum (Part 1)
Hello friends,
A question has been rolling around in my head that’s generated some confusion in my thinking. In view of the terrible things that happened in our nation a couple of summers ago, (you remember, the summer of love), where cities were burned, property was destroyed, causing huge financial losses to individuals, states, and the federal government (that’s us), and people were even killed or badly injured, I began to reexamine an old problematic text that has to do with VIOLENCE. The text in…
A Divine Reconciliation
Evening friends,
It’s almost our Easter Day, and I can’t think of any more poignant O.T. text that speaks to the suffering of our Lord than Isaiah 53.
Let’s look at verses 3-7, only, as this is certainly not an exhaustive study. 3.“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; he was despised, and we esteemed Him not.”
The world rejected Christ then even as they reject Him now. He knew the sorrow of rejection like no other, being…
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On Eagles' Wings
Hello Friends,
Susan and I just returned home from a trip to Denver, then on to Taos, NM. I was finally ready to test my lungs (with approval from my doctor of course.)
The week went well and I actually blew the fifth highest spirometer reading for a thirty day period, at about 7,200 ft.
Since the weather was perfect, Earl, Pishon and I headed for the slopes. We skied for two days, our highest altitude being 10,350 ft. with zero complications, except some gnarly old foot blisters.
Now the only thing on my…
Repentance and a Reconciled Relationship
Repentance is a word we seldom hear preached today. Do we have an aversion to anything that stands in the way of our own personal freedom? Do we worry that if we yield to its demands we may be robbed of some pleasure hidden deep within our flesh? As preachers, repentance is one of those hard words we are sometimes tempted to avoid, as it tends to make the comfortable uncomfortable. And Lord knows, we gotta keep those pews full. 😀
When considering the word repentance, there are at least a couple of shades of…
Read moreA Precise Christmas Revelation
During the Christmas season, Christians all over the world rejoice at the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe Him not only to be the Savior, but the Messiah, ( the Christ, the Anointed One sent by the Father as our Redeemer). He is Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. He is a co-equal member of the Godhead having all the attributes of Deity. Some of these He laid aside, such as omniscience, ubiquity, among others in order to be born a man that He might fully identify with humanity.
…Read moreWhat's In A Name?
Around this time of year there's always much talk about the use of 'Happy Holidays' (we're told it's the more politically correct term) as opposed to the more traditional 'Merry Christmas.'
For the sake of space I want to draw a comparison using only one other holiday.
There is a day (actually 8 days) celebrated by the Jews known asHanukkah. This Jewish festival commemorates the rededication of the Temple following their victory over the Syrians. Since the word 'Hanukkah' means 'a dedicating,' the name…
Read moreThey're Singing Our Song...
I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas; and I'd like to share a little poem I wrote back in 2013. (This is a FB teaching from a few years ago.)
I used to really get annoyed with Christmas because of all the commercialism, with little focus on the central theme of the season, which is, of course, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I was kind of a Humbugger!
Then, a few years ago, while listening to a message by Chuck Swindoll, I was reminded that this is the only time of the year when the world…
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