PHall | December 7, 2016
Every night the wife places a glass of water on her husband’s nightstand. Every night he never drinks it. But he told his wife every night to do this. Sadly this reminds me of how some treat God. They want Him near just in case they need Him. And yet somehow they never feel the […]
Category: I Peter |
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PHall | December 7, 2016
In the story of the birth of Christ (Luke 1-2) we have: 1) Darkness because the shepherds are out at night. 2) Light breaking the darkness because the glory of the Lord shines as the angels announce the birth of Christ to the shepherds. 3) Animals being taken care of because of the shepherds; plus […]
Category: Luke, Genesis |
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PHall | December 7, 2016
As Christmas is upon us many celebrate the birth of Jesus. If we do let’s check the scriptures to make sure what we are saying happened in the songs, happened in the original story. And let us worship Jesus in those songs the way scripture teaches us to sing as worship. Anything else is teaching […]
Category: Matthew |
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PHall | November 8, 2016
Of all Biblical aids, the most helpful is also a huge hindrance: chapters and verses. So when you don’t understand, just keep reading. Biblical writers use stories to explain stories by grouping stories together. Chapter and verse markers break up these helpful hints. In Mark 2:23-28, Jesus’ disciples are picking heads of grain on the […]
Category: Mark |
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PHall | October 30, 2016
Considering we are grandparents awaiting the birth of our grandchildren, with a touch of melancholy I asked my wife Janet, “How did we get to be this old?” She wisely responded, “One day at a time.” In reality, that is the answer for every “endgame” whether positive or negative. How our marriages will look in 10 […]
Category: Matthew |
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PHall | October 30, 2016
C.S. Lewis famously categorized three possibilities as to what Jesus was: Lord, Liar, or Lunatic. This was because of the claims Jesus made for Himself which belied the choice that he was only a good, moral, human teacher. Amazingly, Mark 3 shows these same three choices in Jesus’ day. In one scene we have demons […]
Category: Mark |
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PHall | October 24, 2016
Jesus does more than keep the Sabbath. He honors its meaning more than those who simply see it as a rule or law. The Son of Man shows it to be a blessing, and not a burden. Therefore when Jesus healed on the Sabbath, He wasn’t “breaking” the Sabbath; neither was He showing an exception […]
Category: Mark |
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PHall | October 22, 2016
There is “The World’s Culture” and then there is “Your Family Culture.” Two examples of this are found in our children. When our daughters were young, many of their friend’s parents were divorcing. It was getting so bad Janet and I sat them down and comforted them saying, “We will never divorce.” Our youngest daughter, […]
Category: Ephesians |
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Tags: Children, Family, Parenting
PHall | October 22, 2016
The easy way became impossible. The unthinkable way became the only way. If this doesn’t make sense, it will become clear. As clear as faith. Some come through the proverbial frontdoor when making a point. Some come through the backdoor. It has been said of me I come through the side window! What hasn’t […]
Category: Mark |
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PHall | October 22, 2016
“Going to church” is dangerous, but the alternative is worse. I have had various back issues since I was two years old. I have been hospitalized three times, recently for surgery, and at age 4 when I awoke and could not walk. Due to the recent situation I have needed to take pain medicine. What […]
Category: Luke |
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