Category Archives: Hebrew Bible

Grace and providence in small random decisions

Posted on April 10, 2010 by admin

Testimony time. I am fascinated by the significance of small random decisions. When I do something unusual and/or unexpected. Two recent examples. I hate WalMart. I hate shopping. But need to eat something for lunch. Because it is Lent need … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiastes, Ministry, Personal, Theology | Leave a comment

REVIEW – “How to Train Your Dragon”

Posted on April 1, 2010 by admin

Whenever my kids complain about how cold it is I remind them of their Viking ancestors. “How to Train Your Dragons” tells the story of a boy who lives in a Viking village where it snows 70% of the year … Continue reading →

Posted in Hebrew Bible, Movies and film, Theology | Leave a comment

Ecclesiastes: Preacher of Surprising Joy 2/4

Posted on March 29, 2010 by admin

This is part 2. What Qohelet observes about the cosmos and about life and conclude everything is hebel. Adobe Acrobat and PowerPoint files for the presentation. Ecclesiastes study presentation 2/4 PowerPoint Ecclesiastes study presentation 2/4 PDF

Posted in Ecclesiastes, Hebrew Bible, Theology | Leave a comment

Does the resurrection mean Ecclesiastes has nothing to say?

Posted on March 24, 2010 by admin

I do not think I did very well teaching Ecclesiastes last Sunday. Several people have said they disagree. In a nutshell have been emphasizing what Qohelet aka Ecclesiastes says is hebel. Human beings are finite. No one knows the future. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiastes, Personal | 1 Comment

Ecclesiastes: Preacher of Surprising Joy 1/4

Posted on March 11, 2010 by admin

For years I have looked forward to teaching the book of Ecclesiastes in a church wide Bible study. Here are the PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat files for the first presentation. Ecclesiastes study presentation 1/4 Ecclesiastes study presentation 1/4 – PDF

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They ask the questions we avoid (or) Why does God save yet not prevent?

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Rick

I have one of the best jobs on the planet. Pastoring a small church whose primary ministry is with international students and scholars. Most of whom are here for a limited period of time. Many of whom are studying the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Hebrew Bible, Internationals, Personal, Theology, Tolkien | 2 Comments

My Who Dat? post (or) Why sports?

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Rick

[I tried to add a good picture here but this just updated version of WordPress for some reason will not allow me to do that.] Donald Miller in his excellent book Searching for God Knows What? wonders what would happen … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Hebrew Bible, Sports | Leave a comment

What makes worship?

Posted on October 14, 2009 by Rick

At the “Service of Reconciliation” the evening after the senior pastor resigned rather abruptly several spoke positively of the second worship service. Many along the lines of “as long as people are worshiping the Lord who cares what instruments they … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Practice, Hebrew Bible, Worship and Liturgy | Leave a comment

Those who "sleep" (or) Moebius syllogism?

Posted on September 16, 2009 by Rick

A turning point(?) in my theological understanding of death was when during Introduction to Christian Mission my fine professor Isam Ballenger rather strongly state “the Christian faith does not teach the immortality of the soul – it teaches resurrection of … Continue reading →

Posted in Hebrew Bible, Logic and Reason, New Testament, Theology, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Sandlin and his tiger – giving Louisiana a bad name

Posted on December 17, 2008 by Rick

I am not sure I believe in animal “rights”. But I do believe human beings have a divinely given responsibility to care for animals. This is a theological conviction rooted in exegesis of Genesis 1-2. God created human beings to … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Hebrew Bible, Law and Justice, News, Theology | Leave a comment