12.9 “Reverence and Awe”                                                            September 2008 I find the book of Hebrews instructive for delineating how the Old Covenant finds enhanced fulfillment in the New. Christ is a better creation rest than a ritual day. His blood speaks a better word than that of Abel—which a warring … [Read more...]

“Cleaning out files” August 2008 I’ve been cleaning out files recently, discarding duplicate, irrelevant, or obsolete stuff—like philosophy tests from forty years ago. In doing so, however, I find some things that strike me as worthy of sharing. Think of them not as garbage but as gleanings, okay? Discard or appropriate. Sometimes one … [Read more...]

July 2008 Some valuable worship practices have become so time-laden they are in danger of becoming commonplace. The public reading of Scripture is one such practice. Paul commended it to Timothy: “devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture” (I Tim. 4: 13). On occasion I’ve been asked to help persons prepare for such ministry. Here’s what I shared with them. Maybe it will be … [Read more...]

May 2008 Last fall Reedwood Friends (Portland) held a class on “How can Friends recover successful outreach?” I led a session based on this Scripture text: “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit … [Read more...]

April 2008 Some nights I worry. Not often, but occasionally. Maybe I'm hyper from too much activity, food, or ego stroking. I should drift off to sleep, but I don't. Did I lock the car? Do I hear a faucet dripping or is it rain pattering the windowpane? Will the war ever stop? Why don't they return my call? This pain in my back, is it angina, arthritis, or acid reflux? … [Read more...]