born and raised twice in the bay, I preach Jesus and him crucified
My family history is cratered with the impact of addiction. I have lost loved ones, seen families ripped apart, and lived through the results of various addictive behaviors. I have seen communities lose their most generous benefactors. I have drug people out of businesses who were so drunk they could no longer move on their... Continue Reading →
“Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do... Continue Reading →
"As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man." (Proverbs 27:19, ESV) We can easily rebuff the crass speech and immoral lyrical compositions of any era or artists, but underneath that I wonder if our problem is with Elvis, Taylor, or ourselves? Elvis Presley (1950s-1970s): Elvis's provocative dance moves and... Continue Reading →
As part of a forthcoming publication, I'm compiling a list of common Messianic Texts in the Hebrew Bible. I am curious: what passage(s) from the Old Testament do you think tell us about the Messiah? From the Torah Genesis 3:15 - The seed of the woman will crush the serpent's head. Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22:18 - In Abraham's seed,... Continue Reading →
In the ruinous mush of endless days, losing track of our true purpose and squandering precious time on half-hearted efforts is easy. We are often caught in the swirl, not because we lack potential but because we need more commitment to our actions. We must remember that every day is a sacred opportunity to live... Continue Reading →
Phillip W. Martin 