THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF JULY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. I love discussing scripture with my new friend, Neal. He receives the Word eagerly and "with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit" (1 Thes.1:6). He is one of those who "draw water with joy from the wells of salvation," the theme verse of my website (edwardfudge.com). At our last meeting, Neal asked about people who never heard of Jesus. Can they also possibly enjoy eternal life, and if so, how? God assures us that he will judge fairly, or "in righteousness" (Acts 17:30-31). Among other things, that means God will … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2016
Family Notes 27/07/2016
THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF JULY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. MIND AND BODY Ron Highfield -- Sometimes the soul needs to listen to the body. Nine days ago I underwent surgery for an inguinal hernia and . . . Ive been exhausted the whole nine days. What surprised me is how much my physical trauma manifested itself in my psychological moods and thoughts. I kept thinking I would use the physical recovery time to read and . . . write a little But instead I felt two disturbing moods come over me. I felt no energy for work and . . . [I felt] a burden of guilt for not … [Read more...]
GOD’S WORD BRINGS JOY
THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY OF JULY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. I first met Neal two years ago while shopping for a hat at Shudde Bros Hatters, his century-old family business situated in the Brookwood Community, about 40 miles west of Houston. We quickly connected as fellow-believers and soon were discussing the hope of immortality that we share in Jesus Christ. From childhood, Neal was taught that God will also keep the lost alive forever, to suffer everlasting conscious torment. Neal said that teaching had always struck him as out of line with the gospel and … [Read more...]
Family Notes 20/07/2016
THE TWENTIETH DAY OF JULY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. SCHOLARLY SEMINARS--FOR EVERYONE For the past five years, the Lanier Theological Library in Houston, Texas has provided, without charge to the public, a series of seminars featuring professors, scientists, and expert practitioners on current events, topics of special interest, and biblical subjects in the news. Following are the titles of seminars conducted in 2015 and 2016, and the participants in those seminars. For infomation regarding seminars from 2012-2014, or to view videos of any of these seminars at … [Read more...]
Peace not of this world
THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF JULY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. Guest Writer Sara Faye Fudge Sara Faye writes a devo-newsletter called "Love-Notes" for the women's Bible study group at our home congregation in Houston. The following was in the issue for last week. When she read it aloud to me, I told her I needed to have that for a gracEmail. After some modest demurral, she consented, and we are in her debt. -- Edward. As [Jeff Christian, our preacher] is leading us into deeper appreciation of the gift of peace, I find that the word seems to pop up quite often on … [Read more...]
Family Notes 13/07/2016
THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF JULY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. DON'T SAY IT! Oh, how we love to express our opinions, prejudices, and fancies--especially on religion and politics! The power of words is deceptive. They are so easy to utter! But they can unleash hell, war, and murder. In a culture where we can speak to the whole world through the media at our finger tips, allow me to say it again: “Please, please don’t say everything you think!” Don’t say it yourself, and don’t “like” or “share” any words you would not say yourself. Liking or sharing or forwarding anything is … [Read more...]
TRADITION, TRUTH, AND TREASON
THE TENTH DAY OF JULY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. Our preacher and my good friend Jeff Christian talked about Stephen last Sunday, and invited us all to prayerfully read Acts 6-7 afresh, listening for God's word to us today. That is always a godly enterprise which I am happy to undertake, and the following is the message I "heard" from this important extended text. Once the first generation of Christian believers had passed, each succesive church generation shares much in common. For starters, each new generation must make its peace with Tradition. Tradition is … [Read more...]