Shake yourself from the dust and arise. Loose the bonds from your neck.
Meekness is the word of the month at the jiu jitsu gym where I train. Friends circled up after 30 mins of trying to choke each other, the concept of meekness went over our heads. At first glance meekness seems like weakness or submissiveness. One argues that it is not a masculine trait to be… Continue reading Blessed are the Meek?
Two weeks ago the Southern Baptist Convention gathered for its annual meeting and the shenanigans were meme-worthy. Last week I wrote about the Law Amendment and interacted with an article by venerable evangelical pastor J.D. Grear. This week, my gripe is focused on SBC presidential candidate David Allen and the Pledge of Allegiance. If you… Continue reading The SBC, the Nicene Creed, and the Pledge
The thesis statement for the Book of Judges is “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Jdg 21:25). This book of the Bible shows us what happens when people reject God. In those days, the only law acknowledged was the one enforced by the… Continue reading No King but Christ
In case you missed it, the Southern Baptist Convention convened last week for their annual meeting, and it was not without controversy. Several things came out of the convention that I want to gripe about. This article is part one of that gripe. Introduction One of the major items that came out of the SBC… Continue reading The SBC and the Law Amendment
Judges 19 recounts the horrific account of a Levite's concubine being brutally gang-raped to death by a mob of Benjaminites in Gibeah. Judges 20 details the vengeful response by the rest of Israel against the tribe of Benjamin. Brother fought against brother, tribe against tribe, in a civil war that united Israel against the injustice… Continue reading Contend for the Faith
Pictured is an illustration of Judges 19 from a 13th century French Gothic picture Bible. Introduction Judges 19 is a difficult text to write on, let alone preach on. And in these times when reason gives way to passions, I find myself timid like Gideon. This won’t be the nicest thing you’ll read today, but… Continue reading Sons of Belial: How Worthless Men Are Killing You
Before Dale was a beloved father and grandfather, a doting husband, and an enthusiastic servant of the church, he was a philanderer and a deadbeat. He gave his wife herpes from sleeping with prostitutes while in the Navy and often neglected his family. His frequent absences led one of his sons toward gang involvement, and his… Continue reading Samson’s Victory
And he told her all his heart, and said to her, 'A razor has never come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother's womb. If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak and be like any other man.' Judges 16:17 ESV Cutting Samson’s hair was like shooting Superman… Continue reading Samson’s Downfall
And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith. And Samson said, ‘With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.’ Judges 15:15-16 KJV Ah, the famous story of how… Continue reading War Crimes
Samson is the most famous of all the judges. Whether it's his superhuman strength or his dalliance with Delilah, everyone seems to know about the big, violent, herculean ox who is really, really good at killing things. For example, in Judges 14 he fights a lion and rips it apart. Not a kitty. A lion. “Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed… Continue reading What Controls You?
Awake! Put on strength! 