By: Scott Armstrong *The following is taken from Lisa Sharon Harper’s book The Very Good Gospel. The first uses of the Hebrew word goy (foreign ethnic group) in Genesis are instructive. The word is found in the list of Noah’s descendants, commonly called the Table of Nations (see Genesis 10). The word is found next... Continue Reading →
Quotes from The Very Good Gospel
By: Scott Armstrong I recently read Lisa Sharon Harper’s The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right. I agree with Shane Claiborne, who says, “On these pages, the Garden of Eden meets the world we live in.” I encourage anyone to read the full book; in fact, my hope is to whet... Continue Reading →
Patterning to a Jesus Template Part II
By: Dr. Clark Armstrong Jesus’ teaching ministry primarily consisted of the use of parables. We should learn to use many stories and illustrations. He also taught the crowds or public groups such as the Pharisees with discourses. The book of Matthew can be outlined around five of these. His teaching of the disciples was peripatetic,... Continue Reading →
The Witness of the Spirit
By: Eddie Estep A fond memory from my early years is the singing of the saints in the church attended by our family. When I learned to read music – both words and notes – the hymns of the church came alive. One of the songs the congregation most loved to sing was “It Is... Continue Reading →
Holiness: Seeking Peace with Everyone
By: Emily Armstrong Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:7 NIV “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” As human beings, when we are given the option between something clean and something dirty, I think most of us would choose cleanliness, right? Personally, I like the floors of my... Continue Reading →
Holy Now and Forever
By: Scott Armstrong Bible Reading: Hebrews 10:14 NIV “By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” The authorship of the letter to the Hebrews is unknown and often disputed. Some scholars believe it was written by Paul, and others by Apollos, Barnabas, Priscilla, or someone else. Whatever the case,... Continue Reading →
Expectation, Reality, Disappointment and Praise
By: Scott Armstrong We may have experienced a mini breakthrough in parenting recently. We have been working with our son and daughter on not allowing one bad thing to ruin an entire day, let alone week (or beyond). It’s hard to do! We almost naturally spiral into anger or melancholy when a terrible interaction with... Continue Reading →
Gideon’s Best and Worst Decision
By: Frederick Buechner Last week I came across the following reflection by Frederick Buechner, originally published in his book Peculiar Treasures. It’s a reminder that effective leadership requires constant vigilance and attentiveness to the will of God. I call Gideon “The Reluctant Leader.” Enjoy Buechner’s insight. THE BEST THING THE JUDGE GIDEON ever did and... Continue Reading →
Be Filled with the Spirit
Dr. Eddie Estep, Kansas City (USA) District Superintendent When we use the word filled in English, we normally think of something being placed into a container, such as milk being poured to the brim of a glass, water being run into a bathtub, or gasoline being pumped into a tank. This is also the classic... Continue Reading →
Pentecost: When God Adds Fuel to the Fire
By: Rev. Daniel Pesado “Don’t add fuel to the fire.” I heard that phrase a lot growing up. When there was an argument or tense situation, the adults around me would use it to suggest that it was better to keep quiet and not make circumstances worse. But there are areas and moments in life... Continue Reading →