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…
Read more(God)Father’s Day
I wrote this twenty years ago and presented to my congregation in hopes of encouraging people to step forward and help teach Sunday School. Happy Fathers Day 2003! This is my 13th Fathers day. I was out on the patio a few weeks ago after church when I heard someone say “Hey Frank, you’re so…
Read moreEven infants are sinners
Nothing seems more innocent than a cooing newborn baby. All the promise of life with none of the baggage. Yet the foundation of “original sin” infects even these precious ones. Genesis 8:21 says: “every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood.” Likewise Romans 5:12 says “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered…
Read moreWe need saved from…God?
Given the choice, and wanting to avoid fire and brimstone or perhaps what some misguided people, even Sunday school teachers, present as a state of perpetual nothingness, I would choose to be saved. Saved from a judgement proceeding during which I will certainly be found guilty. Old Testament prophet Hosea says of people at the…
Read moreHolding the Flashlight
Those of us over 60 remember automobile engines that one could actually service. Changing spark plugs, adjusting timing, even spraying something-or-other into the carburetor-thingy (I was the helper, not the home mechanic!). Despite these jobs starting right after dinner, when projects took longer than planned, my job was to hold the flashlight as the sun…
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