Three Birthdays, Three Christmases

It all started with Rocky Kauffman.  I was 11 years old, just shy of my 12th birthday and in sixth grade.  Rocky invited me over to spend the night at his house.  Rocky’s dad had a little money so Rocky’s house was bigger and nicer than mine and he had more stuff.  AND, Rocky’s parents […]

I John 4:18-21

John begins to summarize and conclude this section on loving one another (4:7-21).  He continues his point from verse 17 regarding judgment and the believer’s perspective on it.  He then reiterates what he said before about love coming from God and why if we are in Him we WILL love the brethren – and if […]

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Many Christmas hymns have amazing theology in their words.  One perfect example is Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Charles Wesley.  Its words wonderfully express the wonder and blessing of Christ’s coming along with the somber reminder that He came to die.  The following is an exposition of the verses along with some of the […]

I John 4:16b-17

It makes sense that even though we already studied verse 16 when we looked at verses 12-16 as a text, that we look at the second half of the verse again and use it to better understand the meaning of verse 17.  Also, these verses echo much of what John said in 2:5-6, so it […]

Boom Town – Sam Anderson

This is somewhat of a random book both to write and to select to read.  It’s a sort-of history of Oklahoma City written from the standpoint of it being a unique place with a unique history and civic makeup.  The book is not exhaustive by any means, and the author builds much of the story […]

I John 4:12-16

John discusses our love for one another and our belief in the Son as evidences of our salvation.  He seeks to assure His readers of their standing before God.  He tells them they can know they live in God and God lives in them by the presence of the Spirit in their lives.  And they […]

I John 4:9-11

John amplifies the truth that God is love by pointing to what God did as a result.  God’s nature of love showed itself in the act of sending His Son into the world to die.  That the Son died so we can live proves that God is the source and standard of love, and that […]

Jesus – Walter Wangerin

This book is a novel written as a biography of Jesus.  It takes stories from the gospel accounts and fills in dialogue, feelings and thoughts and puts them into a collected narrative of Jesus’ life.  It’s written primarily from the perspective of two people – John the beloved disciple and Mary the mother of Jesus.  […]

Alexander Hamilton – Ron Chernow

It’s an enormous book but it’s worth the look You won’t regret the time that reading it took It’s a comprehensive story about Alexander Hamilton And includes a lot about Jefferson and Washington It’s got politics and love, war and duels Guys shooting at each other like ignorant fools Big names, big egos and founding […]