I thought it would be helpful if I shared my story. For those of you coming to the blog a bit later on, yes, I shared four posts in this category before going back to write an introduction. That is a prime example of part of my story: I have ADHD, and I’m making this … Read more
The church as a cultural entity has been under fire a lot in recent decades. We have an opportunity to use this as a refining fire. Culture shifts, changes. Sometimes this is objectively good: abolishing slavery, developing social justice, and broadening civil rights. Sometimes it’s subjectively good: changing fashion and propriety. Sometimes it’s completely neutral: … Read more
Welcome to my home. We make the most of what we have, here. Old items get repurposed; yard sales and thrift stores a regular habit. Our home is more…eclectic comfortable than it is stylish, but we like it. I didn’t always. I’ll be honest. I used to long for a well designed home with coordinated … Read more
There are two sections I want to talk about. The first being the bit at the end of chapter 13. I can see how a lot of people might have a problem with this passage. When we are taught that the Bible is completely literal, this passage says that God himself is going to “turn … Read more
Interesting. Okay. So these chapters are further encouragement to Israel regarding their restoration, promising judgment on their enemies, and compelling them to be better than their fathers. I didn’t find much to really hang on to here, to be honest, but there’s one thing about chapter 6 that got my attention. There are four chariots: … Read more
“And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord.” It was never just about Israel. I’m not sure there is a passage in the Bible to suggest that Israel ever understood that, ever acted like a nation of priests out to welcome and convert the nations of the world. Was there a single period in … Read more
It’s such a short book about a prophet calling the people to rebuild the temple and reconsecrate the people of Israel. People say it isn’t time to rebuild, but you seem to be quite comfortable in your house, why can’t you rebuild mine? You know nothing is going to grow well until you do, right? … Read more
Prophecy is weird, man, but I gotta say, I think our reactions to it over time have become even weirder. So I grew up with this idea that the second half of Daniel was some big end times prophecy, and to be honest I’ve only skimmed it until now because it’s weird and difficult to … Read more
Can I just say I’m really glad Daniel was bothered by his visions on account of not understanding them? Because I really don’t understand them at all. There are a lot of smart people out there with all sorts of explanations of what the visions might mean. Everything from recorded history that was still in … Read more
Oh, Nebuchadnezzar. Really think you could have done without those 7 spans of time acting like a cow in the field, you know? He recognized God’s power when Daniel interpreted the first dream. He outlawed speaking against God after the incident with the furnace. The man had no problems acknowledging God’s superiority. He was just … Read more
I am six months behind on the blog and reading plan. I have attempted to come back to it once already. But, to be honest, this is kind of exactly how I thought the blog would go. No, it’s my life that is not how I thought it would be. Let’s be honest, though, how … Read more
There isn’t a whole lot to say about these chapters that hasn’t been said. I do feel that I have to comment on the diet Daniel and the others insist on following. I don’t think it’s a statement in favor of vegetarianism or anything like that. I believe it’s a matter of faith. They refused … Read more
I’ll be honest. Joel is one of those books that I’m not entirely sure what to do with. It’s a prophecy a lot like every other prophecy we have on record. There’s just one thing that stands out: the promise of the Holy Spirit. Eventually, Joel promises, the Spirit will be poured out on everyone. … Read more