I recently finished another read of Clement’s letter to the church in Corinth. The letter is dated around the end of the first century. It’s worth reading if you’ve never done so.  Last night “my” Green Bay Packers surprisingly defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the playoffs. It was an amazing season… Continue reading

While my youngest wasn’t feeling well last week, she chose to watch The Sound of Music. I kept overhearing the dialogue and songs long since seared into my heart. Do you recall the song Maria sang as she approached the Von Trapp estate for the first time? “I Have Confidence.” It begins with these words:… Continue reading

Kudos to my son, TJ, for creating the image I plan to use throughout our survey of church history. I’ve entitled the study “Surrounded by a Great Cloud.”  When did the first individual enter the cloud? Another way of asking that question is: When did the Church begin? Unlike some, I don’t believe the Church… Continue reading

I returned to work Wednesday after four days off for the New Year’s holiday. As I drove over the bridge spanning the Tennessee River, I was stunned by the contrast. To my left, the sky was still dark. Yet I could still see the cloud generated from Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. Understanding it is steam,… Continue reading

Same name. Striving For Reality. New look. I hope you like the change! New theme. Surrounded by a Great Cloud: 24 Posts on Church History.  Happy New Year!  We sat down together last night and I asked those present: My DAILY RENEW Plan                For my personal seeking of God, I plan to:                I… Continue reading

I have thoroughly enjoyed my study of the life and theology of Edwards the past twelve months!  John Piper rightly observed, “What Edwards saw in God and in the universe because of God, through the lens of Scripture, was breathtaking.”* Here are a few quotes from Edwards’ sermon based upon Hebrews 11:13-14–our pilgrimage as Christians.… Continue reading

Think you can digest some solid meat on Christmas Day? The following is an excerpt from a letter Edwards wrote to a friend on November 28, 1751 from Stockbridge, MA. Speaking of Jesus, “This glorious person, in the perpetual and eternal view of whose beauty God the Father is infinitely happy, has God sent into… Continue reading

Suddenly, the Lord descending! The Then. His first advent. The Not Yet. His second advent.  Christmas Eve.  The Lord descended. He appeared in the temple. Gently held by his adoring parents. Then cradled in the arms of old Simeon.  “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,According to Your word;30 For my eyes… Continue reading

Wise men still seek Jesus.  What do you think of that statement? Paul wrote these words to the congregation in Corinth: 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did… Continue reading

Whatever Joseph expected to name his firstborn son would have to wait. Mary’s first child would neither carry his seed nor his name. The angel commanded Joseph to name the child Jesus due to the successful mission He would complete. He would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). When you read those words,… Continue reading