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Tag: Plan of Salvation

Greetings—From God

Greetings—From God

I’m no scholar, but if I were, I might tell you that it was customary in the ancient Near East to begin personal correspondence by stating the letter writer’s identity up front.  The format might begin with the author’s name, add a bit of distinctive information to differentiate the sender from others with similar names, and cap it off with a special greeting to the intended recipient(s).  A brief introduction, summarizing the subject of the missive was not uncommon. The great apostle…

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Learning To See Double

Learning To See Double

“Seeing double” is the colloquial term ascribed to a phenomenon in which a particular kind of visual impairment causes the person experiencing it to perceive two images when only one is actually present.  The scientific designation for this is, “diplopia.” Films and television programs often portray double vision as the comical result of illegal drug use or excessive drinking.  But it is no laughing matter.  Persistent or repeated diplopia warrants prompt medical attention to determine the cause(s) of the disorder—not an easy task,…

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Avoiding Sudden Destruction

Avoiding Sudden Destruction

It has been widely reported in national news media that the world’s elites—the wealthiest of the wealthy and the most dominant of the dominators—are investing vast sums in modern-day bomb shelters for themselves and their loved ones.  These hardened shelters are said to be fortified against most any danger, from riot to invasion and are built to withstand any threat short of a direct hit by a thermonuclear missile. Most of these strongholds are at least partially buried and the best…

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Of Reluctance And Glory

Of Reluctance And Glory

For several years (I don’t know how many, exactly) I belonged to an organization that distributes Bibles at schools, hospitals, military bases, correctional facilities, transport hubs, hotels, and so on, as well as individually, through personal sharing.  It is a large and well-known organization, with international operations and a good reputation.  Its workforce is composed almost entirely of volunteers. When a friend at church, a longtime student of my adult Bible classes, suggested that I join, I didn’t seriously consider it, at…

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Comfortless Fiction And The Comforting Facts

Comfortless Fiction And The Comforting Facts

The phrase “a comforting fiction” is a particularly interesting one.  It is commonly used in situations in which a fairytale seems preferable to reality.  When, for example, a triggering event like the tragic loss of a loved one occurs, the fact of the death is impossible to deny.  Yet, that fact may feel too cold, too stark, too heavy to bear. There is fear that its mere acknowledgement may—and more than likely would—overwhelm the bereaved’s defenses.  The resulting ground rush of grief and pain…

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An Emergency Without Urgency?

An Emergency Without Urgency?

The words “urgency” and “emergency” would seem to have much in common.  They’re both nouns.  They sound so very similar, and no wonder—their last two syllables are identical. But that’s just the beginning. Situations repeatedly arise, in which both words are applicable in the same place, at the same time and for the same reason.  It would be a challenge to name many other words more closely related in terms of proximity, causation, duration, and proportion.  Both urgency and emergency can trigger powerful emotions and great…

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Mourning The Messiah

Mourning The Messiah

Believe it or don’t, Jesus Christ is coming again.  Let that sink in.  Like it or not, He is returning.  Regardless of whether you expect it to happen, it will.  It’s a fact, not a fantasy—a truism, not a belief or a wish or even a fear.  It’s just reality. Oh, you can argue, you can protest, you can swaddle yourself in great swirling clouds of self-delusion and denial—but only until His arrival.  This date with destiny is on its way.  It is on schedule.  It is roaring toward us…

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Emmanuel In Reverse

Emmanuel In Reverse

It’s Christmas Eve 2021 as I write this column.  Naturally, the Nativity is on my mind.  Let’s read together the brief account in Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 1, verses 18-25.  I’ll share a few thoughts as we go. 18 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” Mary was “found [to be] with child.”  The child was not Joseph’s.  He and Mary were…

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Time Capsule

Time Capsule

Have you ever contributed items for inclusion in a time capsule or been in attendance when one is placed or opened?  If not, have you watched or read stories about the discovery or planned exhumation of a time capsule on an anniversary date or at the expiration of a specified interval?   What most intrigued or inspired you about the experience?  What sparked your curiosity or fueled your imagination? As everyone knows, a time capsule cannot be swallowed and does not contain any time. It…

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A Most Unusual Servant

A Most Unusual Servant

One of the greatest of the ancient Hebrew prophets was a man named Isaiah.  Chapter 52 of the book of the Bible that bears his name introduces us to someone popularly known as “the suffering servant.”  He doesn’t start out that way. In verse 13, we learn that this servant is unique: “Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.”  Prudent (judicious, wise, shrewd).  Exalted (elevated, of greatly superior status). Extolled (praised, glorified, lauded). Very high (extraordinarily or…

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