born and raised twice in the bay, I preach Jesus and him crucified
Papyrus 87 (𝔓87), Philemon 13–15. P. Col. theol. 12, Köln, Institut fĂĽr Altertumskunde. CSNTM. Paul writes from prison with an impossible request. He is sending back a runaway slave named Onesimus to his master Philemon, asking him to receive Onesimus not as property but as a brother. Under Roman law, Philemon had absolute authority over... Continue Reading →
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 →
“For you always have the poor with you…” (Matthew 26:11, ESV) Over the years, I have often encountered people asking for money. One particular experience in Palestine, Texas, tested my understanding of compassion and generosity. A man approached me, asking for money to buy food. I gave him about $25, but shortly afterward, I saw... Continue Reading →
The essence of love is often diluted by its overuse in everyday language. Through his letters, the Apostle John beckons us back to its profound, divine roots. His exploration of love in 1 John 2:7-17 is not just a scholarly exposition but a vivid call to embody this love in the fabric of our daily... Continue Reading →
Saying you want to be more like Christ is one thing, but it is a far more challenging course to actively strive to make your profession match your confession. Two correlated subjects ran the social media gauntlet recently: Modesty1,2 & What is appropriate dating behavior3.  Of  interest to me is how certain responses seem to pit two sides... Continue Reading →
Phillip W. Martin 