Damascus and Christmas

Damascus and Christmas

Just a couple weeks ago, rebel forces entered Damascus, the capital city of the nation of Syria, and overthrew the government of Bashar al-Assad. Since then, I’ve read or heard numerous “experts” telling me that the fall of Damascus last week was the fulfillment of...
TRUE DELIGHT

TRUE DELIGHT

Everybody delights in good things.        A cup of java and a good book. A twelve-point buck at twenty yards. A long talk with an old friend. A little boy with sticky hands and muddy feet. The arms of the one you love. Whatever. Our...
Why do we say the blessing?

Why do we say the blessing?

Most of us were taught from childhood that we should pray a prayer of thanksgiving for our food before we eat. I certainly was. No one ever told me why I was supposed to do that, and I never thought to ask. It always just made sense to me. But that’s the way...

A question about Gaza

A church member asked me, “Pastor, is the Gaza in Jeremiah 47 the same as the Gaza that’s in the news today?” My answer was “yes.” Then I explained: In chapter 47, Jeremiah is pronouncing judgment from God on the ancient Philistines. This...