Category Archives: Uncategorized

When people think of the Christian faith, the word “grace” often comes to mind. This is certainly important word. But what does it mean? This week’s blog explores the Biblical concept of “grace.” Defining the word How would you define “grace” in the Scriptures? We might have our own definitions of grace, but we mustContinue reading “Embracing Grace”

AN IMPORTANT BIBLICAL CONCEPT As we make our way through Hebrews, we’re encountering the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God in Jesus of Nazareth (see 1:3 and 4:14-16). Because of this, I wanted to spend this week’s blog exploring the theological significance of “the image of God” (also known in Latin asContinue reading “The Image of God”

In October, we’re heading toward “the end of the New Testament.”  This section of our Bible is sometimes overlooked.  Two major themes in all these books are faithfulness to Jesus amid persecution and dealing with false teachings.  For this week’s blog, we’re covering Hebrews, which is about being faithful to Jesus and the New Covenant.Continue reading “Hebrews – Faithfulness to Jesus and the New Covenant”

In this week’s blog, I want to write about the Pastoral Letters of Paul. This time, the focus is on the message of these three letters. We will explore the message in light of each letter’s probable date, audience, and situation. 1 Timothy – Effective Church Life Date: Probably sometime during 61-65 A.D. Audience: Timothy,Continue reading “The Message of the Pastoral Letters”

The role of a mentor in my own development as a pastor is beyond significant.  I know nothing is impossible with God, but without my mentor, it’s difficult for me to imagine how the Lord would have called me into pastoral ministry.  My mentor’s name is Tim Shaw.  At the time I met him heContinue reading “The Pastoral Letters: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus”

COLOSSIANS Audience The audience is comprised of a group of Christians in the city of Colossae.  These believers could have come from one or more congregations of that city.  During the time of the writing of this letter, Colossae was located in the Roman province of Asia and, more specifically, within the Lycus River valley. Continue reading “Colossians and Philemon”

In this week’s blog, we are continuing to make our way through the prison letters of Paul. This week’s focus is Philippians. We’ll look at the letter in terms of its audience, situation, and message… Audience The audience consists of believers in the city of Philippi, an important city in the Roman province of Macedonia. Continue reading “Philippians”

What do you do during “hard times”?  How can you discern God’s hand during a difficult situation?  For this week’s blog, I’ll be covering the first of what are known as Paul’s “prison letters” (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon).   Paul wrote these letters while he was imprisoned for his faithfulness to Christ.  We hearContinue reading “Ephesians – The Church in Christ”

The Message of Galatians For this week’s blog, I wanted to provide some reflections on the message of Galatians. Paul’s letter to the Galatians is all about freedom in Christ. A central part of life in Christ is the freedom believers have in Christ. One way to express message of the Gospel is that oneContinue reading “Freedom in Christ (The Message of Galatians)”

LOSING FACE.  In the 1950’s post-war “Leave It To Beaver” America, considering yourself to be a Christian and participating in a local church was not simply culturally acceptable – it was culturally preferable.  For a large part, Christians were seen as “having it together,” and local churches were beacons of propriety and prosperity.  If someone’sContinue reading “Galatians”