Walkers-by might wonder if I have become forgetful. Two bird feeders that I normally fill every other day or so hang empty in my front yard. It could be transference, but I think the birds appreciate the free lunch. And it could be imagination, but I am pretty sure the…
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Assumptions
My wife has a saying posted in our kitchen, “Always Assume Positive Intent.” I like that, especially when it refers to her assumptions about me! I’d like to have that same attitude toward my class members. After all, if they’re attending, it must be for all the right reasons, right?…
The Evolution of the Canon
It is startling to realize that no document from the early church explains how the Bible came to be. At some time, someone determined the criteria for the selection of writings for the canon of Christianity. It seems like that would be a big enough deal that there would be…
Can We Add Footprints to the Bible?
My wife and I like to attend estate sales. Estate sales are the places they try to sell what you tried to hold onto in this life and expected to pass on to the next generation. But, you can’t take it with you (whether you’re downsizing or afterlife sizing) and…
The Bible in a Fortune Cookie
Most mornings, I fix myself a cup of hot tea with a packet of Truvia. It used to be that the Truvia packets had only the ingredients on their reverse side. Now, there are motivational sayings. Like these: I enjoy seeing which message I get each morning. It’s like a…
Is the Bible on Your Bucket List?
Many people have “bucket lists” – things they want to do before they can’t do anything. I know that one of my items is to visit all 50 states. I am missing three: North Dakota, Minnesota, and Hawaii. When the pandemic is over and I feel that it is safe…
Is Your Nativity Scene Biblical?
I have many nativity scenes sprinkled through my house. They range from the traditional – an olive wood set that I bought in Bethlehem – to the whimsical – Jesus and his parents riding on top of a hippy van (immigrants on their way to Egypt, I assume.) It is…
More than a Title
“I don’t like to call myself a teacher,” the Bible study teacher told me. “I prefer the title, ‘facilitator.’ I suppose that sounds less “know-it-all-ish.” Is that the fear – that someone might think that you think you know more than they do. Which – after reading the text and…
15 Podcasts About the Bible or Spiritual Formation
In the midst of a pandemic and at the front end of my retirement, I thought that I would have all the time in the world to do nothing but listen to podcasts. As it turns out, I listen to them a lot less than I once did. When my…
Does the Bible need a Disclaimer?
This week, I was looking into a neat program that does those videos you sometimes see of a hand drawing a picture while the narrator speaks. The program is called Doodly. I have not made my decision about purchasing this program. However, I was intrigued by their disclaimer: It’s really…
