I have been in rooms where the Bible was read like a shield, held tight against anything unfamiliar. I have also been in rooms where it was opened like a well, quietly, reverently, expectantly, by someone who had drawn water from it in the dry seasons. The difference was not in the reading plan. It... Continue Reading →
Struck Down, But Not Destroyed
What failure broke, grace rebuilt. I’ve failed at a lot of things.I’ve failed as a friend. I wasn’t there when I should have been.I’ve failed as a husband. I let stress or selfishness speak louder than love.I’ve failed as a father. I’ve reacted too harshly or gone quiet when I should have leaned in.I’ve failed... Continue Reading →
The Minor Prophets and Hope
The Twelve Minor Prophets (Hosea through Malachi) conclude the Hebrew Scriptures with a vivid mixture of judgment and hope. Though many oracles warn of impending judgment for covenant unfaithfulness, they repeatedly glimpse a future restoration under God's appointed ruler. The overarching theme is that Israel's exile and failure are not the final word. A renewed... Continue Reading →
Gospel on the Web, Using Technology for Kingdom Impact
“We know enough to be sure that the scientific achievements of the next fifty years will be far greater, more rapid and more surprising, than those we have already experienced.”~ Winston Churchill, “Fifty Years Hence” (1931)1 Technology is a powerful tool. It has reshaped how people connect, learn, and share ideas. For many, life online... Continue Reading →
The Messiah in the Prophets
From the early prophets through the exile, Israel's future king was the pulse of hope in dark times. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel each paint different aspects of that hope: a suffering yet exalted servant, a Spirit-empowered leader, a restored kingdom under a new covenant. These themes come together to form a complete picture of Christological... Continue Reading →
Phillip W. Martin 