He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 2 Timothy 1:9 - church at HMPC It's not a hard and fast rule, but Mondays I tend to find …
Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[a] because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Genesis 32:26-28 - Rebekah blessing the congregation The best I …
Continue reading “I will not let you go!” Rebekah has the opportunity to preach again.
I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice.I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey; I have drunk my wine and my milk Song of Songs 5:1 Over the years the garden has been a recurring theological theme in my writing. It's kind of funny because I am …
Continue reading Sunday morning preaching – and how our garden reminds me of church
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 18:15 Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.” Proverbs 10:23 This is a good day for one of those "What are you reading?" posts. At the moment, having endured …
Continue reading Reading to Learn, to Challenge Ourselves, and to Grow as Thinking Christians
- our garden guard-pig holding on the best he can The Lord will guide you continually and provide for you, even in parched places. He will rescue your bones.You will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water that won’t run dry. Isaiah 58:11 - Rebekah wielding the chainsaw! Evidently one post featuring the new chainsaw was not …
Teach the wise, and they will become wiser; inform the righteous, and their learning will increase. An understanding mind gains knowledge; the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. Proverbs 9:9, 18:15 Typically, I delete comments from people who troll this blog when there is obviously no interest in actual communication. One example is a frequent flyer in …
Continue reading There is a lot of noise in America, but very little actual communication
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 Two days, two worship services. They could not have been more different. They could not have been more similar. First, on Saturday, I enjoyed the blessing of being in the sanctuary at Wake …
- Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria "Instead, when you receive an invitation, go and sit in the least important place. When your host approaches you, he will say, ‘Friend, move up here to a better seat.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. All who lift themselves up will …
Continue reading Jesus – always turning the tables on the power-hungry
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 So I failed - at least three times - trying to navigate one of those "follow these easy steps to make a meme" website. But I do at least have the …
Continue reading Everyone seems to be missing the point: another “facepalm Jesus” column
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 - at St. Giles this Sunday It's been a while since I last penned any updates in the "Derek & Rebekah go to Church" series. We are …
Continue reading Another splash of new life (at hashtag “Derek & Rebekah go to church”)
Derek Maul: Words, Photographs, and Food for the Journey 