born and raised twice in the bay, I preach Jesus and him crucified
I have spent most of my life being almost chosen. As a kid I felt it before I had language for it. Someone else came first. I was the fallback, the one people arrived at after the person they actually wanted wasn't available. I told myself it didn't matter. It did. The pattern followed me... Continue Reading →
Papyrus 87 (𝔓87), Philemon 13–15. P. Col. theol. 12, Köln, Institut für 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 →
Phillip W. Martin 