Vacuuming and the Paradigms of Greek Grammar

What do these two things have in common?  Almost nothing is the quick and easy answer.  I say almost nothing because at an hour and half into my professor’s lecture on Greek Grammar the two collided and for a brief moment were simultaneously swimming about in my mind.  Thus, is their slight commonality.  And to [...]

The Church Being the Church

I witnessed something soberingly peculiar this past Lord’s Day.  A young woman who had been attending the same local church as Jenny and me was baptized.  But this was no ordinary baptism.  This of course needs qualification: no baptism is “ordinary”, but extraordinary testimonies of the work of God in saving sinner’s, an extraordinary declaration [...]

A Brand Plucked From the Fire and Set in Christ – Zechariah 3

I have been drawn recently to Zechariah 3.  For the sake of space I will refrain from typing the whole chapter, but I would recommend it for obvious reasons.  The text provides an illuminating relationship between justification and the Old Testament, adding cohesion to the New Testament rendering of the doctrine.  The chapter refutes the [...]

Precious Truth in 1 John 1:9, Romans 6:1-14

1 John 1:9, in the words of my good friend, Eric Schaefer, is a precious verse.  It could not have been stated any better.  Today, this verse was very precious to me.  I do not attempt to consciously hide sin from brothers with whom I draw up accountability and encouragement and reproof – this only [...]

Scripture Entry – Hebrews 9:27 and a Christ-Centered Context

I have come to appreciate context.  This is especially true when it comes to Hebrews 9:27.  It reads, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment . . .” If this were the only bit of Scripture that what could ever lay their hands upon, I submit [...]

Life Entry – “Ode to Jenny”

I can’t help but write about the sweet developments of marriage.  Recently, there has been a “next-level” sort of engagement.  Jenny and I have been in Louisville for just over two months now and the distance from other family members has served to deepen our love for one another.  I believe that it is a [...]

Scripture Entry – “The Preeminent Christ and His Cross”

As I meditated on Colossians 1:15-22 I caught something of the immensity of the Divine irony in this text and I am thankful to God for it.  The slant on this time of meditation was the word “peace” (Colossians 1:20).  This can be both a beautiful word and a word of warning in the Bible.  [...]

Scripture Entry – I Do Not Nullify the Grace of God

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose,” (Galatians 2:21).  This text has grabbed my attention recently.  When I wake up, it is with me; when I lie down, the Lord reminds me of it.  As I think upon an impending position [...]

Life Entry – Infinite Comfort in “Whatsoever Comes To Pass”

It is an infinite sort of comfort to know that God has ordained whatsoever comes to pass.  In these days of transition and uncertainty, both generally and personally, I have found peace in God’s Sovereign will.  Moreover, I have gained much joy from His New Covenant promises purchased for me by my Lord Jesus Christ. [...]

A Life Entry on Idolatry and the God of Romans

This is an assessment of the response that I was hearing following dear Dr. David Platt’s sermon wherein he quoted the first eight chapters of Romans.  Hopefully, it applies to what we call a life entry. I admit enjoyment in his quotation, and find in it an admirable quality.  There is no doubt that the [...]