Blog

Be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine.  Titus 2:3 If I confessed that I once went to church under the influence of chemicals, it may not surprise you, but it might offend you. If I told you that I did it last Sunday, you should probably be more alarmed. If though,…
Read more

Titus 2:2 Be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Some days, I find myself despairing over the discrepancy between what I am and what I want to be. I read a list like this and sigh, That does not sound like me at all. When will I get there? I…
Read more

They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works.  Titus 1:16 Several years ago, we added dormers to our roof as an architectural feature. Though I liked the way they looked, I felt they were inherently dishonest as we did not have an upstairs. Like a comb-over, the dormers were false advertising,…
Read more

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.   This verse always takes me back 30 years to a hot summer day of mowing our church’s cemetery. As I mowed, I would read the inscriptions on the tombstones. Out of hundreds, I remember only…
Read more

2 Timothy 4:5 Always be sober-minded . . . Today, I must give some credit to my dog, as he has provided significant inspiration for my faith and writing. So it was, yesterday, as I was out for a run (dog on leash), pondering today’s passage. We were doing fine, running along, until he saw…
Read more

1 Timothy 4:2,3 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season . . . For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions. I used to think this passage meant that Christians must always…
Read more

2 Timothy 3:16,17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. I have always looked on those who claim that God talks to them, with significant skepticism. Hmm . .…
Read more

2 Timothy 3:2-5 People will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, abusive . . . without self-control . . . lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness . . . I despise fake. It drives me nuts. In treatment, I knew a guy . . . When…
Read more

2 Timothy 2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. When my will is at the center of my decision making, I can justify almost anything. I must follow my dreams. I must be true to myself. I am…
Read more

2 Timothy 2:21 If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy . . . ready for every good work. When I first took call as a medical resident, I was terrified. Feelings of inadequacy, incompetence and terror all combined to create an unnerving…
Read more