THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. During a mission trip to Jamaica, my brother Benjamin was talking with a young girl who suddenly asked, Sir, are you a Christian? Benji said that he was. Obviously troubled, she responded, But you have an earring. He smiled and said Yes, Im a Christian man with an earring. At an international Christian conference, J. Vernon McGee and associates from the Deep South were shocked to see the German Christians quaffing beer while staring back at them disapprovingly. What horrified the Germans? The … [Read more...]
Archives for 2016
Family Notes 19/02/2016
THE NINETEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. JUSTICE SCALIA LECTURE -- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia lectured at the Lanier Theological Library ("LTL") on September 6, 2013. His topic was, "Is Capitalism or Socialism More Conducive to Christian Virtue?" This lecture, like all Antonin Scalia presentations, was profound but easily understood. To enjoy it on video, go to: vimeo.com/74846727 Justice Scalia was noted in all his circles for his imaginative and expressive mind, but also for his humor and quick wit. They all shine in this … [Read more...]
Family Notes 17/02/2016
THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. HEBREWS TREASURY -- No book of the Bible is more full of Jesus, more attuned to daily life in the 21st century, and more relevant as a word of encouragement than the book of Hebrews. For the next few weeks, our gracEmail family notes will include two items related to Hebrews. First, a piece of a conversation with me about the book itself (see "Who Wrote Hebrews?" below). Second, excerpts from a review of Hebrews: Ancient Encouragement for Believers Today, which is probably one of the two or three most … [Read more...]
THREE CHEERS FOR LOVE
THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. Do you remember waiting, perhaps in second or third grade, for Valentine's Day to finally arrive? In the elementary school I attended, excitement filled the air as we personally exchanged our cards (probably homemade and hand-colored) from boxes decorated just for the occasion. Of course, you had a lovely valentine especially for the Teacher, and at least one for the special kid who sat in the next row over. Hopefully that person had a heart-shaped Valentine for you, too. The thrill was twice-enjoyed, not … [Read more...]
Family Notes 10/02/2016
THE TENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. HEBREWS TREASURY -- It might come as a surprise to many Christians today, but there is no book of the Bible more full of Jesus, more attuned to daily life in the 21st century, and more relevant as a word of encouragement than the book of Hebrews. For the next few weeks, our gracEmail family notes will include two items related to Hebrews. First, a piece of a conversation with me about the book itself (see "A Neglected Book" below). Second, excerpts from a review of Hebrews: Ancient Encouragement for Believers … [Read more...]
CHANGE FROM INSIDE OR OUT
THE SEVENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. A gracEmail subscriber has a vision of what it means to be like Christ, but she feels completely helpless to change her thoughts, words, and deeds to bring that vision to fulfillment. Does scripture provide any guidance or inspiration in resolving this common and widespread problem? * * * God does not merely forgive sinners and leave us in our sin. Having forgiven us, he changes us to be like Jesus. Meanwhile, the present temporary world-order is also working busily to change us. But its goal is the very … [Read more...]
MOODY SPEAKS . . . HERE FOR OTHERS . . . FIVE DAVIDS RECOMMEND
THE THIRD DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. HEAR MOODY AND SANKEY -- Dwight L. Moody was the "Billy Graham" of the 19th century and an important figure in the history of evangelistic methods and organization. So far as is known, only one brief recording of his voice survives -- in which the evangelist reads the Beatitudes. Moody's singer was Ira D. Sankey, whose hymns are still found throughout many Christian hymnals. Moody Bible Institute also houses recordings of Sankey singing. For resources on both men, go to: … [Read more...]
‘THEREFORE’ WORSHIP
THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF JANUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. A gracEmail subscriber has heard that Romans 12:1 says our life each day is "worship," and concludes that we are not required to "go to church" or attend any kind of formal worship. Is that true or not? * * * Just true enough to twist and miss the whole point of the passage. After 11 chapters proclaiming and explaining the gospel, Paul now gives the "so what" to all the "what." Romans 12:1 begins: "I urge you, therefore, brothers and sisters, by the tender mercies of God . . ." Whenever we see a … [Read more...]
LIFE-GIVING … VISION … CONVINCING … VIDEO TREAT
THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF JANUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. LIFE-GIVING -- Although often more commentary than translation, Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of the New Testament titled The Message is excellent writing that often informs and inspires nonetheless. Consider this snippet based on the first two verses of the twelfth chapter of Paul's message to the Romans. So heres what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. Embracing … [Read more...]
YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED
THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY OF JANUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. The name of Houston's Joe Jamail, aka "The King of Torts," will not be forgotten soon. Not at Baylor College of Medicine or the University of Texas, Rice University, or Texas Southern University, to name a few recipients of the philanthropic trial lawyer's legendary largesse. Mr. Jamail died early this month with a personal net worth of about $1.65 billion, according to Forbes. And that was after he gave away two hundred million or so. Although now dead, Joe Jamail will be remembered--at least for a while … [Read more...]
