"Moreover, my son, guard yourself, for there is no end to the making of many books, and much study is weariness of the flesh." (Ecclesiastes 12:12) I rarely get mentally tired of studying. My body can be shutting down, while my mind is still keen to keep on going. And I often overdo it, and … Continue reading Good Food for the Mind
Freedom within Providence
Why does God send people to hell? God is the creator and sustainer of all things. He holds all things together. From moment to moment, all of creation depend upon him for their being. "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."Colossians 1:17 "In Him we live and move and … Continue reading Freedom within Providence
Socratic Questioning
We think constantly and our thoughts influence our emotions and shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. Therefore, it is important to think well, and a really good way to think well is by asking good questions. There is a form of questioning devised by Socrates that is often called Socratic Questioning. … Continue reading Socratic Questioning
Violence in the Bible Part 2
In my previous post, I wrote about how we might interpret the violence seemingly commanded by God in the Bible, by looking at Jesus' words about divorce. “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce … Continue reading Violence in the Bible Part 2
Violence in the Bible
The Bible can be a challenging read, especially the Old Testament. What do we make of the violence we see in the story of Israel and their journey from captivity in Egypt to the Promised Land? At times it seems that God is commanding them to do evil in the name of justice. The things … Continue reading Violence in the Bible
When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong
When I am weak, then I am strong, because God's power is made perfect in weakness. The problem is that I often think I am strong and capable in fighting for myself. I think that by asserting myself and forcing my will upon the world, that I can achieve success in life. But in the … Continue reading When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong
Hearing the Spirit of Truth
I'm finding when it comes to being a good learner, there are two main pitfalls that rest at opposite extremes. There's being so gullible that you believe everything you are told at one extreme, and then being hyper critical at the other extreme, where you quickly find fault in what you are told. This might … Continue reading Hearing the Spirit of Truth
Journal 16/06/20
Jesus is the light of truth, according to John. This kind of light illuminates reality, revealing the truth of the way things are. All my life I've walked in confusion and didn't even know it. Or sometimes I did know it. Life can be full of confusion and uncertainty and ignorance. I just didn't realize … Continue reading Journal 16/06/20
God’s Punishment is Mercy
Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord . And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord , the Lord , the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion … Continue reading God’s Punishment is Mercy
Journal 09/04/20
Ironically, one thing I've appreciated most about this coronavirus lockdown is the outdoors. It's Spring, and I've loved going on long walks. Especially since the streets are so quiet, as everyone is inside. Sunlight, a warm breeze and silence except the sound of birds chirping. And since I only have a permitted hour each day, … Continue reading Journal 09/04/20