“Be more afraid of thyself than of the world.”    Bishop Butler.
This is a good quote to remember.   Reading 1 Timothy 4.15-16 this morning.  I am reminded again by Paul to watch not only my doctrine but my life.   How easily it is to forget that the purpose of the teaching is to transform our lives into displaying more clearly the Imago Dei.
Paul’s  present imperatives give urgency and concern towards Timothy.  Timothy must continually and constantly follow them.  So must we.   Paul is concerned that success or giftedness never trump character.  …

Schizophrenia:   (in general use) a mentality or approach characterized by inconsistent or contradictory elements.
From the moment of the Fall, humankind has suffered from moral schizophrenia:  neither able to deny sinfulness nor to acknowledge it for what it is. Alec Motyer, Look to the Rock.
Some of the best books are out of print.  Look To The Rock, by Alec Motyer, is no exception.  Motyer reflects on Genesis 3:7-10 and what these verses detail in regards to the breakdown that occurred as a result of Adam and Eve’s failure to trust God’s …

It is funny how, when preaching, some of the insights come the week later!  I was pondering how important it is to repent. But, not like the Samaritan woman (I have no husband!) -  to obfuscate, but clearly confess your sin.  James 5:16 states that we confess so that we may be healed (see also  1 John 1:9).  I suspect that some, including myself, being afraid of rejection, will in a round about way confess their sins (“I have no husband” was essentially factual), and could relegate ourselves to a …

On the Oregon coast we are bombarded with signs warning us of sneaker waves.  I know of a young lady who died as a result of one of these waves sneaking up on her unexpectedly and carrying her out to sea.   Even though we are warned of these dangerous waves, not many of us watch out for them.  I mean, really, what do you look for on a surf that is roaring all the time and each wave seems much like the last one?
There is an analogy here.  Just when …

If our faith comments on government at all, its comment must be this – that the man should rule who does not think he can rule.  Carlyle’s hero may say, ” I will be king”;  but the Christian saint must say “Nolo episcopari.” (I do not wish to be bishop).  If the great paradox of Christianity means anything, it means this – that we must take the crown in our hand, and go hunting in dry places and dark corners of the earth until we find the one man who …