Theodidacti

“No Mumblin’ Word”
Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12
October 4, 2009

Since I was a young man, I have had difficulty hearing out of  my right ear. When I get hearing tests, they tell me nothing is wrong but still, if my right ear is toward you and you don’t speak loudly enough, chances are, I am not going to [...]

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James 5:13-20
September 27, 2009
Augustine, the fourth century Bishop of the Church in Hippo, Africa (modern-day Annaba, Algeria), said, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our heart is restless till it rest in Thee.” This seems related to the much older rabbinical teaching that a man cannot be healed until he deals with his [...]

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These are the Wordles of my sermons so far this year.

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Kelly has been missing for 6 months. Her story is told in the above video. More details are in this WRAL archive.
I will be leading a prayer vigil for Kelly in Butner, NC at the Central Avenue Butner Park this coming Saturday at 7pm. Please join us. If you cannot be at the vigil in [...]

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I’d really like to find these books.
When I was in elementary school, I had a set (I think there were eight books) of hardcover, children’s Bible stories. The covers were different, bright colors (lime green, bright yellow, hot pink, et cetera) As I recall, the illustrations were Gustave Doré prints (perhaps in duotone). One print [...]

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The artwork on the cover of our church bulletin yesterday was “The Star of Bethlehem,” by Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898), perhaps my favorite of the Pre-Raphaelites. I meant to put a note in the bulletin as to who painted it but I always forget something.
As much as I love Burne-Jones’ paintings and stained glass, it’s hard [...]

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My Premium Calfskin English Standard Version Study Bible was waiting for me on the front porch yesterday. I opened the box, took off the shrink wrap, and opened it upon the table…and it laid there without closing up. It was almost like it was already broken in from months of use.
The bindery is much better [...]

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Susan received her ESV-SB hardcover yesterday. Scott got his ESV-SB Trutone too. Scott said, “That Study Bible is like having Jesus right there with you.” From down the hall, we heard Brad say, “He is, Scott.”
My calfskin ESV-SB won’t ship until next week. Besides using it in my devotional reading with Susan, I look forward [...]

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A Character Study of Eli
Eli was the great-grandson of Aaron (Exo 6:23-24 shows Eli’s father, Elkanah, in the Aaronic line) and so, being in that priestly lineage, we find him as both Judge and Priest at Shiloh when he is first mentioned in Scripture (1Sa 1:3). This introduction is one of an old priest, since [...]

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A Character Study of Hannah
Elkanah had two wives—Hannah and Peninnah. The former was barren and the latter had children (1Sa 1:2). The latter also provoked Hannah because of her infertility, grieving her beyond comfort. Elkanah’s love for her and his gifts seemed to mean little to her. She only wanted a child. She was inconsolable, [...]

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