Darkened Glass Reflections

Tag: Bible

  • In the World, Not of It (Revisited)

    In the World, Not of It (Revisited)

    Christians should not really be surprised that society is growing increasingly hostile towards us. We should be surprised that we have enjoyed a somewhat favorable status in American society for so long. Jesus warned His disciples that the world would hate them.

  • Scripture Sabbath Challenge—First Corinthians 2:14–16

    First Corinthians 2:14–16 reminds us that the natural man cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God. They sound like foolishness to non-believers. Yet, all too often, Christians begin by trying to explain secondary issues to those around them. Those things will seem illogical if the Holy Spirit is not giving wisdom to the…

  • In the World, Not of It

    Christians should not really be surprised that society is growing increasingly hostile towards us. We should be surprised that we have enjoyed a somewhat favorable status in American society for so long. Jesus warned His disciples that the world would hate them.

  • How to Read and Study the Bible

    This article will provide guidelines and suggestions for reading and understanding God’s Word and applying its truths to everyday life. It is a basic primer for the new believer or novice Bible student, and provides basic suggestions for anybody who wants to develop a more effective approach to Bible reading.

  • Unceasing Devotion

    First Thessalonians 5:16–18 provides some insight into how Christians can have God’s peace in hard times: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

  • Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Looking Ahead: New Article

    I just posted a new article on this site, entitled “Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Looking Ahead.“ This is the text of the sermon that I preached this morning at Half Hollow Community Church in Dix Hills, NY. The nondenominational church was celebrating its 134th anniversary, and I was asked to fill the pulpit. The minister, Rev.…

  • Cheap Grace or Transforming Grace?

    German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer coined a phrase for such a distorted understanding of grace. He called it “cheap grace.” In his classic devotional, The Cost of Discipleship, he spoke of it as preaching “forgiveness without requiring repentance,” offering “communion without confession” and “absolution without contrition.”

  • New Year’s Day sermon

    This is a sermon and article I wrote several years ago, but the message is worth coming back to every year. I considered that the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, was referred to as the “Feast of Trumpets” in the Old Testament. Reflection on how trumpets were used in the Bible, especially the Old Testament,…

  • Reflections on the Feast of St. Stephen

    It is a little odd that the church calendar has the Feast of St. Stephen on December 26, immediately after Christmas Day. One day, we celebrate the birth of our Savior; it has become THE fun day on the church calendar, especially in terms of how we celebrate it in our society. The very next…