I never met a woman named Peninnah until I lived in Africa. I recall first hearing this name, mostly because it was so strikingly novel that I assumed it was a mistake, and had to ask her name again. Even my spellchecker doesn’t recognize this name. But since that first Read more…
21After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24so Read more…
One of the side benefits of the consultant conference I attended in September was that it was in Thailand, where some of our colleagues are based. Specifically, those who work on WeSay, a program I have put to good use in DRCongo, and hope to continue using in Cameroon. The Read more…
The narrative found in 1 Kings 13 is very important to me, personally, because it played a key role in figuring out what to do in my life. How do we understand God’s call on an individual? But despite the very clear and very personal application illuminated to me at Read more…
One of the most useful pair of verses I know, for both parenting and discipleship in general, is James 1:19-20: 19Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Read more…
A friend pointed out this morning the structure of the disciples’ questions in John 13-14, and I thought it worth laying out here. It’s almost as if, after Jesus’ celebration of Passover with his disciples (John 13:1-30), some still have questions, so Jesus holds office hours at night: 31When [Judas Read more…
In my all-too-brief(-so-far) lifetime, I have found much to complain about. It seems like everywhere I go, there’s something that isn’t the way I want it. I was speaking with a colleague in our kitchen once, and asked how she got on, traveling more than we do. Her answer was Read more…
You have probably heard someone quote 1 John 1:9, perhaps in its immediate context: 8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us Read more…
Here is my mindmap for Romans 6:15-23: Here is the scrolls for this week, and here are some more questions of my own: What does the rhetorical question in v15 mean? And the answer? What is the relationship between slavery and obedience? Does the Gospel make us no longer slaves? Read more…
Here is my mindmap for Romans 6:1-14: Here is the scrolls for this week, and here are a few more questions of my own: What questions does Paul ask the reader? What are the answers? How is Baptism like death? What does it mean to be Baptized into Christ? How Read more…
