Jesus
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Simple Advice for Reading Scripture Aloud
My women’s Bible study focused on Revelation this spring. Revelation, the final book in the Bible, opens with this encouragement: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). Students of… Continue reading
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Babylon is Being Used
When studying Revelation 16-17 a few weeks ago with my women’s Bible study, I noticed a typo on my study guide. I was dismayed to see that I had asked twice for my study members to analyze the differences between Babylon the prostitute (symbolic of worldliness) and the New Jerusalem and Bride of Christ. Fortunately,… Continue reading
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Worship Leader, Play for Your People Tomorrow
As a worship leader, I am more anxious about Easter Sunday than any other service of the Church Year. I suspect I am not alone in this. On Easter, worship leaders and church musicians often feel pressured to perform for once-a-year crowds. Easter services can feel like our one chance to impress visitors in hopes… Continue reading
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Questioning Easter
Did my title surprise you? No, I’m not questioning the reality of the resurrection or whether Easter was originally pagan or any of the usual questions that pop up this time of year. Instead, I want to question some things we take for granted on and leading up to Easter that deserve more thoughtful examination.… Continue reading
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“O Come, O Come, Behold Emmanuel”: A Sonnet for Good Friday
I was reflecting on the “O Antiphons” today, those ancient prayers that inspired the familiar Advent carol, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” As it is Good Friday, though, I began to wonder how the Messianic titles of the “O Antiphons” might inform a consideration of the cross. As so often happens, this contemplative exercise produced… Continue reading
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Review: “Did the Resurrection Really Happen?”
Did the Resurrection Really Happen? by Timothy Paul Jones is the most recent installment in The Gospel Coalition’s Hard Questions series. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to read and review it far in advance of Easter so I can recommend to my church families, social media followers, and blog subscribers. It is… Continue reading
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The Season of Broken Things
I have found that there is power in singing about our oddly-specific woes and worries. Yes, it can feel silly at times, but that is partly why it is so efficacious; it puts our concerns in perspective and forces us out of our own heads. Singing personal little songs is even more helpful when we… Continue reading
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Review: “The People of Paul’s Letters”
I was very excited to receive an early copy of The People in Paul’s Letters: A Compendium of Characters by Guy Manuell, which is set for release tomorrow, March 11th. Something my husband and I have in common is a shared love of theological resources, and this is one I am very grateful to have… Continue reading
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A Sunday in My Life
When I first read the Harry Potter series, I tended to rush through the action-adventure scenes because I was so eager to get back to the going-to-school-in-a-magical-Scottish-castle scenes. I cared more about the “mundane” (yet still magical) lives of the characters than I did about their extraordinary adventures. I tend to be the same way… Continue reading
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Book Review: How Can I Make the Most of Sunday Services?
I received a copy of How Can I Make the Most of Sunday Services? by Erin Wheeler early this week. This was perfect timing, as it allowed me to read it in preparation for Sunday—which is exactly the point! (Plus, due to its brevity, it helped me get ahead on my GoodReads Challenge.) About &… Continue reading
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Review: The Story of Grace
I returned from a much-needed vacation in Arizona to the best sort of mail: book mail! The first book I dove into was The Story of Grace: An Exhibition of God’s Love by 19th-century Scottish poet and pastor Horatius Bonar. This reprint of a Christian classic provided marvelous devotional reading, particularly for the beginning of… Continue reading
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Christmas & New Years Letter 2024
Last year I wrote a “Christmas letter” style post and found it helpful for updating friends and family, as well as for personal reflection. If life updates are of interest to you, read on. If not, stay tuned for other content. In a Nutshell As 2023 came to a close, Billy had a sense that… Continue reading
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