So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and…
Month: July 2022
Jennifer Garcia Bashaw on Jesus’ Treatment of Women
Over the past two weeks I’ve been introduced to the work of Jennifer Garcia Bashaw, who serves as a Professor of New Testament and Christian Ministry at Campbell University. Her recent book, Scapegoats: The Gospel Through the Eyes of Victims contains a section she presented in a recent webinar discussing Jesus’ and the Gospel’s treatment…
Barna Report on Polarization in America
Here is a summary of a report on Polarization in America released by Barna Research this week. The only surprise for me is the apparent lack of self awareness we have as a nation, cited in 91% of respondents claim to welcome different ways of thinking on important topics, accompanied by another 78% who claim…
On Envy and Jealousy (James 4:4-6)
You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has…
Praying with Unclenched Fists (James 4:1-3)
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away…
The Leading Cause for Pastors Who Want to Quit
Barna research has released a new study on the leading causes of pastoral burn out and the increased numbers of pastors who want to quit vocational ministry. Pastoral tenure, according to the report, ebbs and flows primarily around self care and their personal spiritual formation practices. I’m not sure this is anything ground breaking, but…
The 7 Virtues of Wisdom (James 3:17-18)
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap…
