CURRENT EVENT – FEBRUARY 26, 2012
Almost a year ago Greg Gibbs was on a ladder, going after the last fruit on a tree. Seconds later the ladder gave way and he fell on a concrete walkway, breaking a couple of ribs.
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR – FEBRUARY 26, 2012
Our passage this week follows a familiar pattern in Paul’s letters. First, there are theological truths about the nature of our spiritual lives, and then, there is a list of practical applications for those truths.
REFERENCE SHELF – FEBRUARY 26, 2012
The division between the end of chapter 5 and the beginning of chapter 6 is difficult to determine precisely. In a sense, 5:25-26 are transitional verses, which conclude the section 5:16-24 and also look forward to 6:1-10. The Greek word for “Spirit,” which has been the major theme of 5:16-24, appears twice in 6:1 (in different forms) and again twice in 6:8.
DEVOTIONAL – FEBRUARY 26, 2012
When our daughter was young, my husband and I often played the happy face game with her. When she became grouchy, we would begin to look around the house for Emily’s happy face.
CURRENT EVENT – FEBRUARY 19, 2012
It’s a rare group of kids who will just get started willy-nilly. They want to know what’s happening. They need and like rules. Rules give them a sense of boundaries and expectations. With rules they all know what is happening and this give them a sense of control.
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR – FEBRUARY 19, 2012
Sometimes the Apostle Paul can have discussions that are very powerful, but you don’t always know exactly what he’s talking about. So it is helpful to me to write down definitions or make flow charts sometimes when I read his epistles.
REFERENCE SHELF – FEBRUARY 19, 2012
The opening phrase of chapter 4 (“My point is this” NRSV) indicates that the function of the following paragraph (4:1-7) is primarily a recapitulation of 3:23-29. And yet the restatement of the argument comes with new images and an intriguing parallelism in 4:4-7.
DEVOTIONAL – FEBRUARY 19, 2012
I must admit that the idea of being an “heir” of the kingdom of God bothers my sense of independence and fairness. Does it imply that simply because of my birth into a family that happens to be made up of Christians, I benefit from an inheritance not afforded to others?
CURRENT EVENT – FEBRUARY 12, 2012
Todd Waterbury’s apartment is just perfect. No, really. It’s not simply that his book collection is restricted to titles with black, gray or white bindings, and stacked, jacketless, in neat horizontal rows.
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR – FEBRUARY 12, 2012
It’s hard being a perfectionist. I would know, since I am one. I always plan out the perfect schedule for my day, yet inevitably, when life doesn’t follow my perfect plan and things get delayed, I get upset.
REFERENCE SHELF – FEBRUARY 12, 2012
The opening address of 3:1 (“You foolish Galatians!”) is jarring, indicating the sharp and aggressive character of the appeal.
DEVOTIONAL – FEBRUARY 12, 2012
When I went to church as a child, I heard many “dos” and “don’ts” discussed. Of course, the “don’ts” supposedly displeased God. Some of them I understood and some I did not.