Author Archives: Pete

There Will Be A Canopy

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Pete

Isaiah saw a day when the glory would return to Zion (Isaiah 4:2-6). A day when the Branch, the promised Messiah, would visibly reign, beautiful and glorious. A day when those living in Jerusalem–those enrolled to abide there–are called holy … Continue reading →

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Embracing the Splendor

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Pete

You can’t miss it. The rhythm of repetition pounds through Isaiah 2. “The LORD of hosts has a day,” declares the prophet (2:12a), and on that day there will be terror amidst splendor. Dread before majesty. Run-and-try-to-hide fear before unescapable … Continue reading →

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Nature or Nurture? . . . Or Something Else?

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Pete

Continuing this morning to work my way through Solomon’s Twitter feed . . . aka Proverbs. And Wisdom continues to speak, providing insight concerning the dynamics of human nature, instruction as to skillful living, and indications of how to recognize … Continue reading →

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Rebuke is Just Fuel for the Fire

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Pete

It’s a reminder of the role heat can play in promoting purity. Leave precious metals at room temperature and they can look pretty precious. But apply the right amount of heat and the dross becomes evident. A scum forms on … Continue reading →

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There Is A Refuge

Posted on August 13, 2018 by Pete

We sang about heaven yesterday morning. One of the songs, probably not the most theological in nature, was a real toe tapper. In what is normally a non-clapping church, some were even moved to assume the “clappetory” position and make … Continue reading →

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A Curse-based Oath vs. Grace-based Determination

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Pete

You gotta hand it to Nehemiah & Co. They did it! Despite unrelenting opposition they rebuilt the walls. But perhaps more impressive, after decades of exile in a foreign land they rediscovered the Word. The Law read resulted in hearts … Continue reading →

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Reveal or Conceal?

Posted on August 9, 2018 by Pete

Not everything you know, does everybody else need to know as well. That’s the word for me this morning from Proverbs. A prudent man conceals knowledge,    but the heart of fools proclaims folly. (Proverbs 12:23 ESV) Probably two ways … Continue reading →

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The Word Had Its Way

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Pete

Though rebuilt it was still a shadow of the glory it had been in the day. Sure the walls were in place, the gates re-hung, the temple again marked by the ascending smoke of offerings to the Lord, but it … Continue reading →

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What More Could You Want?

Posted on August 7, 2018 by Pete

In the day, you normally wouldn’t have seen them hanging out together, for Jews had no dealings with Samaritans (Jn. 4:9b). Samaritans were viewed as an impure and unclean people. But hey, when you’re unclean yourself, guess it doesn’t much … Continue reading →

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The Righteous

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Pete

Stick with something long enough, even an annual reading plan, and patterns will start to form, things will become familiar, and lessons learned will repeat. One such lesson, it occurs to me, comes into play when you hit Proverbs 10 … Continue reading →

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