Category Archives: I’ve been thinking

“SUCCESS” vs. “EFFECTIVENESS”

The older I get, the more I think about where all I’ve been over the course of my life and ministry and what all I’ve done – or not done – and if I’ve done it well. I always seriously … Continue reading

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The Old Testament: pre-enactment of Christ

Here’s a good rule to remember any time you are reading anywhere in the Bible … and especially the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, every time you read about and see: …every one of these is a pointer, picture, … Continue reading

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‘Beulah’ songs (and Fiji rugby)

I grew up in rural West Virginia churches [that’s a good ways from Fiji, by the way … which is where this is going] singing lots of songs about ‘Beulah.’ I also knew that ‘Beulah’ means ‘married’ and comes from … Continue reading

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I will love them freely (Redemption, Reconciliation, Restoration)

HOSEA | Lesson 4 | Lesson Notes / Talking Points Read Hosea, chapters 11.12-14.9 INTRODUCTION I / MICROCOSM OF THE MACROCOSM II / HOW THE MESSAGE OF HOSEA IS A MICROCOSM OF THE MACROCOSM OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST … Continue reading

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A famine for hearing the words of the LORD

“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land – not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander … Continue reading

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Your Pastor is “a man with a nature like ours” [James 5.17]

The last two lessons I have delivered to our Sunday School class have focused on the ministry of Elijah. In the first lesson, Elijah presided over what had to be at least among the pinnacles of the high points in … Continue reading

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“Mom, I love you!”

“Mom, I love you!” Our Mom turns 93 tomorrow, 6/26. Mom has been the sweetest model and influence of love and grace in my life and the life of my other five brothers and sisters. I have told people for … Continue reading

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Five Simple, Essential Questions to Ask of Every Text

I have developed these Five Simple, Essential Questions to Ask of Every Text by teaching and training myself over years of daily Bible reading, study, and meditation. These are the questions I have asked of the text as I sought … Continue reading

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PHILEMON: The Gospel of Redemption, Reconciliation, Restoration

In a day when there is so much conflict, division, and brokenness in all our relationships with one another, Paul’s personal appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus still rings so true as a guide and model for redemption, reconciliation, … Continue reading

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God’s Clear Call to Holiness & Sexual Purity

Over the course of the past year, I have been engaged in some courses offered through Biblearc.com, developed under the auspices of Bethlehem College and Seminary. Biblearc is a web-based source for Bible study tools and instruction designed to instruct … Continue reading

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