THE TWENTY-NINTH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. A gracEmail subscriber asks if the Bible reveals the age of the earth, perhaps in some covert fashion. Where did the idea come from that the earth is about 6,000 years old? * * * There is much confusion on this subject. No wonder, when even some Bibles that print dates in the margins place the Creation of humankind at approximately 4,000 B.C. The first biblical event that can be dated on any historical basis is probably the call of Abram (Abraham) in Genesis 12:1-3, which likely occurred about 2,000 B.C. Such … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2016
Family Notes 25/05/2016
THE TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. THE WRIGHT STUFF Among the hundreds of Bible teachers and preachers presenting at the recent Pepperdine University Bible Lectures was a pleasant and personable gentleman from Scotland, four-and-one-half years my junior, with the same last name as the late inventors Wilbur and Orville of North Carolina - who were brothers to each other and fathers of the airplane. Mr Wright from Scotland, on the other hand, has several "handles" depending upon what he is doing at the moment. As Bishop of Durham (2000-2010), he … [Read more...]
WEARINESS, WEALTH, AND WORRY
THE TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. A law student has been offered an entry-level position with a large firm. The position carries a lucrative salary but requires its holder to bill 60-80 hours of work each week. The student notes that Proverbs 23:4 advises him not to weary himself to obtain wealth. Does that mean he should decline this well-paying but wearisome job offer? * * * God will lead you to a wise decision regarding this job offer if you will honestly evaluate your real-life options in light of four biblical principles, in prayer and … [Read more...]
Family Notes 18/05/2016
THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC WEIGHS IN ON HELL For as long as anyone can remember, writers and photographers for National Geographic magazine have traveled the world to bring its readers illustrated stories of volcanos, geysers, and the like, so realistic that they almost singed the readers' eyebrows. On May 13, 2016, NG outdid itself with a superb article titled "The Campaign to Eliminate Hell"--indisputably the ultimate of all hot places. In almost 1800 words, author Mark Strauss describes the rethinking of hell … [Read more...]
VARIOUS MEANS OF GRACE
THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. A gracEmail subscriber inquires if God provides "means of grace." That expression includes anything we can do to release grace upon us. Liberation by God from all things that hinder uninhibited joyfilled companionship with him. There is finally only one "means of grace." That is faith--trust in God, dependence on him and his unmerited kindness. "We have access by faith into God's grace" (Rom. 5:2). As part of God's creation, we are totally dependent on him. "Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and … [Read more...]
Family Notes 11/05/2016
THE ELEVENTH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. YEARS OF STUDY EVIDENT IN J. JONES' ALL-ENCOMPASSING NEW BOOK ON MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, REMARRIAGE -- BUT ITS WISDOM AND 'HEART' POINT TO HIGHER SOURCE BOOK NOTICE: Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage Seen Through the Character of God and the Mind of Jesus. Jerry Jones. College Press, 270 pages, 2016. Dr. Jerry Jones had served God as an evangelist, local pastor, church-planter, and chairman of the Bible department in a Christian university, but no matter which hat he wore, he was called on to teach and to counsel … [Read more...]
GOD BLESS THE MOTHERS
THE EIGHTH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. Today is celebrated as Mothers Day in the United States, a day for remembering and honoring mothers both living and dead. It seems clear that God approves, since the command to honor one's parents premiered as Number Five on his list of Top Ten Commandments (original Tablet edition). The Bible's wisdom literature repeatedly urges readers to honor ones mother and to make her proud by doing what is right (Prov. 1:8-9; 30:17; 31:1). When God wanted to explain his tender feelings and care for Israel, he illustrated … [Read more...]
WHEN WE REACH OUR LIMITS
THE FIRST DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. What can you do when you find yourself in a circumstance like this? Your cause is just, your motives pure, and you give it all you've got. When the smoke has cleared you look and find that nothing's changed at all. The problems that you face are real and do not go away. At such a time the Book of Psalms might be just what you need: testimony, ancient prayers, faith both strong and weak wait to encourage and refresh the person who will seek. When circumstances don't reveal God's presence, we repeat: "How long, O … [Read more...]