Everyone is a counselor. Everyone is a mentor. Everyone attempts to influence others with their beliefs and belief systems. It might be as simple as trying to convince others of the beauty of a medium-rare steak, or the joys of being a fan of the Texas Rangers (at least this year), or the importance of […]
Read More Don’t be that kind of mentorGod’s Worthless Shepherd Zechariah 11:5-17July 9, 2023 I don’t know about you, but it’s hard to know from year to year what I should and shouldn’t eat — what’s good for me and what’s bad for me? High fat? Low fat? Eggs or no eggs? Carbs or no carbs? Meat? Vegetarian? Or vegan? A […]
Read More God’s Worthless ShepherdWhen the Shepherd is RejectedZechariah 11:7-14June 25, 2023 Everything seemed to go poorly for Israel. Way back in her history after Solomon died there was political maneuvering for the kingship of Israel and it led to strife, conflict, and a divided nation. It stayed that way for centuries. There were even battles between the northern […]
Read More When the Shepherd is RejectedGod’s Compassion and the Danger of Rejecting the ShepherdZechariah 11:1-6June 18, 2023 A few years ago, a photographer accumulated several photos of some of the most famous places in the world that he had visited. Some of you might have been to some of these places as well — do you remember them the way […]
Read More God’s Compassion and the Danger of Rejecting the ShepherdGod, Our StrengthZechariah 10:6-12June 11, 2023 Many years ago, a despondent looking Charlie Brown lamented to his friend Lucy, “I feel inferior.” Lucy hopefully responds, “Oh, you shouldn’t worry about that. Lots of people feel that way.” “What, that they’re inferior?” Charlie asks, feeling somewhat encouraged. “No — that you’re inferior.” In one of […]
Read More God, Our StrengthWhen traveling overseas, you may have seen a variety of pagan gods and deities represented by various kinds of idols. You may have even visited a pagan temple and seen large, ornate, and impressive looking idols. I suspect that no matter how impressive, you weren’t tempted to bow in worship to those man made structures. […]
Read More Identifying and resisting idolsThe Bad ShepherdsZechariah 10:1-5June 4, 2023 One of the beauties of Scripture is that it takes a transcendent, infinite, unknowable God and reveals Him to us not only so that we can know Him, but that we can understand Him. One way the Bible does that is by taking things that we know and […]
Read More The Bad ShepherdsGod, the Faithful Shepherd-KingZechariah 9:11-17May 14, 2023 I suppose most people in most nations complain about their political leaders. Ingrained in the fallenness of man is an inherent rebellion against authority. So, we don’t like kings (or presidents, or dictators, or senators, or…). We don’t want anyone ruling over us, dictating what we will do […]
Read More God, the Faithful Shepherd-KingGod’s Redeemer KingZechariah 9:9-10May 7, 2023 Great Britain coronated a new regent yesterday. After 70 years under the leadership of Queen Elizabeth, the United Kingdom now gives allegiance to and serves King Charles III. Elizabeth was particularly loved by Great Britains (at least it seemed that way from way over here in Texas). As […]
Read More God’s Redeemer KingGod’s Wrath and RedemptionZechariah 9:1-8April 30, 2023 Unbelievers have many complaints against God. But I suspect that one of the main complaints against God is that He is wrathful — and particularly that He would judge sinners and condemn them to eternal Hell. You’ve heard the criticism: “How can God send anyone to Hell and […]
Read More God’s Wrath and RedemptionMy daughter texted me this morning. “GUESS WHAT?” “I don’t know. What?” HAPPY OPENING DAY!!! ⚾️ That sentiment made me wonder (as a life-long-suffering Texas Ranger fan), “will this year be better…?” After more than 50 years of watching the Rangers the skeptic (realist?) in me says, “probably not.” […]
Read More What’s Coming?From Fasting to FeastingZechariah 8:18-23March 26, 2023 Raye Jeanne and I enjoy watching home restoration shows. We like seeing something dilapidated and unusable made beautiful and functional. It’s inspiring how skilled and creative some restorers are. But not all restorers are equally effective. Consider the experience of the Church of St. Michael in Estella, Spain. […]
Read More From Fasting to FeastingGod’s Grace for Troubled People, Pt. 2Zechariah 8:9-17March 19, 2023 I suppose everyone likes a surprise (happy) ending to a story. The Bible is filled with stories of unexpected endings — tragedies and loss that are unexpectedly transformed (what one writer calls “redemptive reversals”). These stories begin appearing in the Bible almost on the first […]
Read More God’s Grace for troubled People, Pt. 2God’s Grace for Troubled People, Pt. 1Zechariah 8:1-8March 5, 2023 Thaddeus Williams writes about the fastest-growing religion in the world, self-worship: …84 percent of Americans believe that “enjoying yourself is the highest goal of life.” Further, 86 percent believe that to enjoy yourself you must “pursue the things you desire most.” And 91 percent affirm […]
Read More God’s Grace for troubled People, Pt. 1Fasting, God’s Word, and RighteousnessZechariah 7:8-14February 12, 2023 A few years ago, Richard Patterson was told by a Muslim friend that in Islam there is a tradition of writing out the Koran by hand among more devoted followers. Richard thought it was a good idea, and because he wasn’t Muslim, he found some appropriate pens […]
Read More Sermon: Fasting, God’s Word, and Righteousness
Words of Grace 