Before Joseph’s great reversals helped reverse his life and the lives of many people in Egypt and the Holy Land. After Joseph came Moses. God brought about reversals in Moses’ life, but also in the life of the people of Israel. It was difficult on the people and Moses, but ultimately God delivered the enslaved […]
Category: Pastor’s Blog
“Great Reversals”
Throughout history and perhaps in your life, there have been great great reversals. You feel like you are at a dead end. Your dream has died. Whatever it may be. Then–wham!–you experience a great reversal. God can do that, you know. Take Joseph in the book of Genesis, for instance. He asks for trouble by […]
A Young Adult is blessed by “Pilgrim’s Progress”
Yesterday one of my young adult children watched an animated version of John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” This is what she just wrote me about it: “It was striking to me that I related to a story written so long ago, but it makes sense since it’s about the experience of the people of God. […]
“He watching over Israel slumbers not nor sleeps”
In his beautiful musical portrayal of the life of the prophet Elijah, Felix Mendellsohn has a section based on Psalm 121:4. That reminds me of what Beth Moore said in a televised Bible study when I was going through an intense time 12 years ago or so, “Beloved, please know that when your head hits […]
Verse from Romans 8–The Message Bible
3-4 God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn’t deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, weakened as […]
Are you feeling down and despondent?
Many times in life we feel down and fearful. As is often the case, John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress” has helpful words on these matters. May you be encouraged by them. Also, the Giants of Fear that Christian sees in the distance fall from the road and are not visible when Christian arrives where he saw […]
Christian and Hopeful Pass Over to “The Other Side”
A friendly reminder that Bunyan’s outstanding book, “Pilgrim’s Progress,” is an allegory. But it has much helpful instruction for those who are Christian and those considering things that matter most. In his portrayal of death and arriving at the Celestial City, I most appreciate Bunyan’s recognizing that facing death can be a struggle–even for Christians. […]
Entering abundant and eternal life through “the strait and narrow” way
[From https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-pilgrim-s-progress/part-1-at-the-wicket-gate#summary-207998] Christian hastily makes his way to the Wicket-gate. When he gets there, he sees a sign over the Gate reading, “Knock and it shall be opened unto you.” Christian knocks several times, asking if a rebel like himself can be admitted. At last, a solemn person named Good-will answers and asks who’s there. Christian introduces himself as […]
Christian at the Foot of the Cross
The following is from John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress.” THE CROSS Now I saw in my dream, that the highway up which CHRISTIAN was to go was fenced on either side with a wall; and that wall was called “Salvation”. “In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation […]
Back to Blogging
My apologies for the long time between blogs. It was due to a couple of issues, not the least of which was the incessant hacking I understand all sites receive. So, I’m back up and hope to start blogging again soon on substantive matters.