My Grandfather had several. As did my Dad, uncles, and just about every man I knew. As a kid I noticed a pattern that the older guy’s collections seemed more refined. Those with more idle time on their hands had sorted theirs and even labeled them for easier recall. I’m of course referring to the…
Read moreDo you know what you’re Celebrating?
Halloween is a time of fright, When ghosts and goblins come to light. It’s a day to dress up and pretend, And have some fun with family and friends. My earliest memories of Halloween were pulling bits of clothes from a musty box. There was a hat that resembled hair, a blanket, plastic Frankenstein mask…
Read moreTools of the Trade
My dad famously said (famous to me anyway) that he could “do any job with the right tools”. He was a self-taught man capable of a thousand abilities, an inspiration to behold. When shipping toys and gifts he often handmade for his grand kids, he even custom cut his own packaging to ensure a perfect…
Read moreDoctrines divide? Yes, and that’s a good thing!
To some degree, I am likely beating my head against the wall trying to reach a firm and final conclusion when theologians (real ones, not us “everyday living” theologians) have debated Biblical interpretation and resultant doctrines for over four centuries. So donning the helmet of ignorance, I’ve attempted to assemble the disparate positions and the…
Read moreThe Three Wise Men Weren’t (Three)
Each Christmas I get a little more scrooge-like as I drive past nativity scenes depicting three kings waiting in line to present the baby Jesus with their gifts. Some early church traditions even have names for the robed worshipers, Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, but we have no way of knowing if this was accurate. So,…
Read moreMisquoting the Bible
If there is one word of advice, I’d give to new readers of the Holy Scripture it is “context.” With over 727,000 words in the NIV version of the Old and New Testaments, like fortune cookies, people can easily make up anything using out of context bible statements. Anytime you hear a bible phrase quoted,…
Read moreSins of the Parents and Sour Grapes
I try my best to not look around me and judge others. Far be it from me to fall into the trap of the Pharisee Jesus described in Luke 18:11 “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.” However, I am susceptible for trying to…
Read moreBiblical Roots
Our vernacular has changed in the last 50 years and I am a first-hand witness. In my youth it was far more common to have phrases and idioms used to make a point many of which had their roots in the Bible. Some of the more popular ones have survived and my guess is most…
Read moreHaving faith is not up to You
Given that one is saved by faith, not good behavior, sacrifices, karma, works, reincarnation, et al, how does one get this faith? The Bible’s answer is ‘not on your own ‘cause you’re not even trying’ Psalm 14:2 says “The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if…
Read moreGod is in hell
Given God is omnipresent, (i.e., God is present everywhere) and given that hell is somewhere, God is there. The damned are not separated from God while in hell, but they are separated from God’s mercy, subject only to his righteous justice. God is there, seeing to the right, just, and eternal punishment of those who…
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