born and raised twice in the bay, I preach Jesus and him crucified
The archaeological site of Magdala, located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel, holds significant value for Bible students and scholars. As the ancient hometown of Mary Magdalene, Magdala provides a tangible connection to the New Testament narrative and offers invaluable insights into the religious, social, and economic life of a... Continue Reading →
In the summer of 1994, I sold nearly everything I owned and moved to Palestine, Texas. After spending a few nights with the Pennington Family, then Elmo and Letha King kindly allowed me to stay with them while I found a place to rent. Eventually, I rented a room from an El Toro Mexican Restaurant... Continue Reading →
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 →
Phillip W. Martin 