I used to think that change was something that happened to me. Life, circumstances, and even faith felt like forces by which I was either swept up or pushed down. But what if the transformation God invites us into is far more personal and deeply participatory? In Romans 12, Paul calls us to offer our whole selves to... Continue Reading →
Posture and Character
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 →
What Did He Just Say?
In high school, I spent almost a year raising money to travel to Nice, France. I sold oranges and grapefruits. I peddled crab feed tickets. I worked every angle I could. The city of Nice covered lodging, most meals, and local travel. All we had to pay for was airfare, lunch, and whatever extras we... Continue Reading →
Israel’s Kings and the Promised Ruler
The story does not end with the exodus. In many ways, it is just beginning. The people of Israel had been redeemed from Egypt, but they were not yet home. What followed was the long, winding process of becoming a nation in the land of promise. This story, told through Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings,... Continue Reading →
Phillip W. Martin 