born and raised twice in the bay, I preach Jesus and him crucified
Pergamon Museum, Berlin, Ishtar gate Imagine being threatened with death in a blazing furnace unless you betray your God. That’s exactly what three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah), faced in Daniel 3. They responded with one of Scripture’s most remarkable statements of faith: “Our God is able to deliver us from the fire…... Continue Reading →
We live in the age of the personal brand. LinkedIn profiles showcase our achievements in the most compelling language possible. Instagram stories curate our highlight reels. Even our bio sections have become miniature monuments to our accomplishments. We celebrate the "self-made" person, the one who climbs highest, speaks loudest, and demands recognition. But what if... Continue Reading →
Juan de Flandes - Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalene The human condition presents itself as a sojourn marked by existential questions arising from our deepest longings: "Am I seen? Am I loved?" These inquiries, inherent to the imago Dei within us, draw us toward the meta-narrative of Scripture; the redemptive story that addresses our fundamental need for... Continue Reading →
Friedrich, C. D. (1818). Wanderer above the Sea of Fog [Oil on canvas]. Kunsthalle Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany. Morning light breaks over a busy street corner. A stream of humanity passes by: a nurse in scrubs, a construction worker, a mother with her toddler, a man in a threadbare coat. Different stories, different struggles. Yet each... Continue Reading →
Bourgeois, L. (1992). merci. mercy. [Drypoint and hand additions]. The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, United States. https://www.moma.org/collection/works/72223 There is a cycle that is all too easy to fall into. It begins with a glance across the aisle, across the street, or across social media. Someone says, "Look at them over there. They... Continue Reading →
Phillip W. Martin 