simply, Christian

our struggle between riches and the Kingdom

lection reflection for 14 August 2019 / reading the bible daily with the church

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Today's gospel reading is the very familiar dialogue between Jesus and the rich young ruler (Mark 10.17-31). Jesus transitions between this interaction with the young man and his follow-on discussion with the disciples with this very hard-hitting statement:

How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom . . .

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Posted in: reflections

August 14, 2019

calling on God in good times and bad

lection reflection for 13 August 2019 / reading the bible daily with the church

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Today's 'lection reflection' isn't from today's daily lectionary reading but from the devotional guide my wife and I use each morning, To Live With Christ by Bo Giertz. This morning's reading was from Jeremiah 2. The following passage from this chapter struck me:

I remember the loyalty of your youth, . . .

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Posted in: reflections

August 13, 2019

review: The Greek New Testament, Reader's Edition, Produced at Tyndale House

I recently wrote a quick review of the three main Greek Reader's New Testaments available today. As part of that review, I pointed out a couple reasons why the Tyndale House Greek New Testament (THGNT) Reader's Edition was my favorite of the three. I would like to expand on that review today and showcase both the hardcover and premium . . .

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Posted in: greekreview

July 30, 2019

on detours and not getting what you hoped for

lection reflection for 30 July 2019 / reading the bible daily with the church

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Today's New Testament reading is from Acts 16. Buried in the midst of this chapter is a divine detour:

They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia; they had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not . . .

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Posted in: reflections

July 30, 2019

creeds, heresy, bowling, and you

an illustration of the rightful place of creeds and confessions in the Church

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Yesterday at church a friend showed me the illustration below which highlights the rightful place of our Christian creeds and confessions, not as writings to supplant or supersede Scripture but as faithful witnesses to what the Church has believed, taught, and confessed in all places throughout the ages. One of the misunderstandings . . .

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Posted in: theology

July 29, 2019

on rocky ground, thorns, and good soil

lection reflection for 22 July 2019 / reading the bible daily with the church

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Today's Gospel reading comes from the 4th chapter of Mark, the familiar Parable of the Sower. In fact, for many of us, this parable is so familiar that it is hard for us to read it attentively and afresh because we have heard it so many times! As I have written and taught elsewhere, we are so familiar with this parable and so aware . . .

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Posted in: reflections

July 22, 2019

"A Few Thoughts on the Lord's Prayer"

a meditation

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Note: This appears as today's reading from the saints in For All the Saints. It is an Anonymous meditation on the Lord's Prayer and one worthy of our reflection and consideration.

I cannot pray, Our, if my faith has no room for others and their need.

I cannot pray, Father, if I do not demonstrate this . . .

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Posted in: prayer

July 18, 2019

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