A Strange Hermeneutic

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it…”— 2 Timothy 3:14 A dear friend of mine, an Episcopalian, visited the other day. She had been crying. My friend was … (read more)

Who Pilots You?

"[L]ook at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs" (James 3:4). I have recently purchased a Palm … (read more)

Nilikuonyesha Nyota

"The Lord said to [Moses], ‘What is that in your hand?’" (Exodus 4:2). I have recently remembered a wonderful proverb in Kiswahili, a pearl of wisdom from East Africa. "Nilikuonyesha nyota na uliangalia kidole tu." I learned the proverb some … (read more)

Is it Worth it?

"Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life." (Isaiah 43:4) A recent article in the New York Times described an important logic … (read more)

Zeroes in Zeraphath

"Elijah was sent…to a widow at Zarephath" (Luke 4:26). I have been thinking lately of the widow of Zarephath and the wonderful visit of Elijah – a story recorded in 1 Kings 17. A photo-essay in the New York Times … (read more)

What’s Wrong With the World

"Thou art the man" (2 Samuel 12:7). I am recently reminded of an episode from the life of that great Christian poet and apologist, G.K. Chesteron (1874-1936). The episode occurred nearly one hundred years ago, in the uncertain period leading … (read more)

Never to Digress…

"It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for … (read more)

Too Little Scattering

“My constant ambition has been to preach the gospel where the name of Christ was previously unknown, and to avoid building on another man’s foundation, as Scripture says: They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came, and they … (read more)

Innumberable Lutherans

"After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count…standing before the throne and before the Lamb." (Revelation 7:9) Recently I received an advertisement from Thrivent Financial Services, in Minneapolis. Among other things, the ad … (read more)

Impossible Things

"Thus says the LORD of hosts: Even though it seems impossible to the remnant of this people in these days, should it also seem impossible to me, says the LORD of hosts?" (Zechariah 8:6) Not long ago, I received a … (read more)