Tag: Bible
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The Ethiopian Bible
Source, Authorship, and Reliability 1. What People Mean by “The Ethiopian Bible” When people refer to “the Ethiopian Bible,” they are usually referring to the canon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which is the largest biblical canon in Christianity. It includes: The standard Old Testament and New Testament books Additional writings not included in…
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THE SHEPHERDS’ CANDLE: JOY
Zephaniah 3:14–20 • Isaiah 12:2–6 • Philippians 4:4–7 • Luke 3:7–18 Introduction Today we light the third candle of Advent—the Shepherds’ Candle—the candle of Joy. Its color is different for a reason. Joy is not merely another virtue in the Advent lineup; it is the evidence that the world is already being changed by God’s…
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Why Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit Is Called the Unforgivable and Eternal Sin
Some passages in Scripture whisper comfort; others stop us in our tracks. Few verses unsettle believers more than Jesus’ words in Matthew 12 and Mark 3—His solemn warning that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit “will not be forgiven,” neither in this age nor the one to come. Many read it and feel a chill. Why…
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Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Robert Edwin Hargrove December 5 2025
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Robert Edwin Hargrove December 5 2025 Born December 5, 1927 — Buna, TexasPassed September 6, 2013 — Buna, Texas Today we honor the birthday of Robert Edwin Hargrove, a man whose steady presence shaped his family, strengthened his community, and left an enduring mark on Buna and Jasper County.…
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Adam and Eve: A Biography
With Reflections from Various Theologies, Early Church Fathers, and Zola Levitt Studies Names & Meaning Adam means “earth” or “ground,” referencing his formation from the dust.Eve means “life” or “living,” reflecting her role as “the mother of all who live” (Genesis 3:20). Scriptural Origin Genesis 1–5 tells the story of Adam and Eve: the first…
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The Witness and the Way: A Theological Deep Dive
Preparation and Response—Seeing the Lamb and Following Him I. THEOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK & CORE CONCEPTS A. The Witness (Martyria) – More Than Testimony Theological Definition: The Greek word martyria (μαρτυρία) means “testimony” or “witness,” but carries weight beyond simple reporting. In John’s Gospel, witness is not passive observation but active participation in revealing truth. A martyr…
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The quiet time
As I sit here on a quiet November evening in 2025, sixty-seven years after that January night in Kirbyville, I find myself doing what old engineers do best: tracing the signal all the way back to its source. It started with a curious boy in Buna who followed a dog named Brownie too far into…
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Reminder of the Light
Some days I’m reminded to go back to the starting point. “In the beginning was the Word…” That truth centers me. It reminds me that everything we’re doing—family, work, community—rests on something solid and steady. The scriptures in the RCL today lean into that same hope. Daniel talks about God standing with His people even…
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WEEK 2 – The Coming Light Prelude Study for Book of John
Key Truth The light of Christ does not arrive after the night ends—it enters while it is still dark. God’s promise is not that suffering will disappear before He comes, but that His presence is stronger than any darkness you’re walking through. Scripture Focus Isaiah 9:1-7 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great…
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The World Before the Word
God Speaks Creation and Covenant Into Being Introduction: When God Speaks, Everything Changes Before the Gospel of John ever opens with those majestic words—”In the beginning was the Word”—the Old Testament has been quietly preparing us for this revelation. Long before John identifies Jesus as the living Word of God, Scripture reveals a God who…
