Did you hear last week about the man in upstate New York? A strong snowstorm had come in causing a friend of Jay Withey to get stuck in his car. He needed help, so he called Jay to come rescue him. Unfortunately, the snow piled higher, and like many rescue attempts, Jay got stuck too. … Continue reading When Wrong is Right
With Open Arms
In the 1970s, psychologist Dr. Frank Wesley wanted to solve a mystery. He had discovered a similarity among the vast majority of American soldiers that defected to North Korea during the Korean War, twenty years earlier. They all came from the same basic training camp. But why? That was the mystery. Further investigation revealed that … Continue reading With Open Arms
Polite Conversation
I hope that you all had a nice Thanksgiving. For me, Thanksgiving is a wonderful time with my family. I am incredibly thankful for them and couldn’t see myself anywhere else than with them, eating good food and having good conversation. But I know that isn’t the case for everyone. Some do not have family, and … Continue reading Polite Conversation
God Has Spoken
Hebrews tells us that “He [God] spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways…” (Heb. 1:1). But something has changed since those days of old. The author continues by saying “in these last days [He] has spoken to us in His Son…” This favored Son is God’s … Continue reading God Has Spoken
Making a Good Confession
When thinking of “confessions,” one could go in several directions. I think of criminal confessions, where someone “fesses up” to some wrongdoing. In crime dramas, it’s the turning point; the cathartic “We got ‘im! Bring ‘im in!” moment. Sometimes, confessions are false, and the supposed criminal has been coerced into saying something untrue. It reminds … Continue reading Making a Good Confession
Baptism: Who is it for?
The Way of Christ has many details to keep in mind, some of which can have more importance in the minds of Bible readers than others. One of these practices that has fallen out of favor over time, but is thankfully making a comeback is the practice of Baptism. But people have all sorts of … Continue reading Baptism: Who is it for?
Mistaken Monikers
When Peter denied Jesus outside the High Priest’s house that fateful night, he did everything he could to separate himself from Him. Everyone around knew better though. “Even the way you talk gives you away,” said the bystanders (Matt. 26:73). In Peter’s desperation, he altered his language. “Then he began to curse and swear, ‘I … Continue reading Mistaken Monikers
The Gentile Condition
The Way of Christ began as a Jewish movement. Not, of course, in the sense that it was a splinter of Judaism (Act 24:5, 28:22), but that it first and foremost reached to Jewish audiences as the culmination of the Jewish system. On this topic, Paul gives his defense at his trial. “But this I … Continue reading The Gentile Condition
On Every Word
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’ But He answered … Continue reading On Every Word
Honest to Goodness
Admiting to someone that you were wrong can be hard to do. Pride is a jealous friend and it doesn’t like you wandering off to see other people. But, like an abusive relationship, it can be liberating to get away and finally be honest. “I was wrong.” It’s hard to say at first, but refreshing, … Continue reading Honest to Goodness