I have enjoyed learning about the Gaboon viper, although from a distance. So, seeing this article on Google Now made sense to me: One of these is a deadly viper. The other is a harmless toad. Can you tell the difference? The Gaboon viper caught my attention because of it’s Read more…
Recently, we visited the Reptile World Serpentarium in St. Cloud, Florida. It was an interesting visit and we were able to watch them milk the snakes for their venom. One of the things that stood out to me was the way that they make the antivenin.
When God says something twice, we should probably pay attention. One of those things is:
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
God says it again in Colossians:
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. (Colossians 3:21 [KJV])
It is easy to focus on the negative: provoking our children to anger. We shouldn’t hinder their growth, especially in the Lord. But, in following the cross references, God gives another pattern of repetitive instructions on the positive side to teach our children:
We discussed the rapture in church the other day, and I learned a new passage that describes when in God’s timeline it will happen. It always helps me to talk through what I learn to make it stick in my mind. So, here it goes…
The word rapture is nowhere in the Bible. The concept on the other hand is. This passage describes what we call the rapture:
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:51-57 [KJV]
I ran across this article describing a digital tattoo: Engadget: You can now unlock your Motorola phone with a ‘digital tattoo’ For those of you who know your Bible, does this scare you? Does it sound like something from Revelation? Revelation 13:16 — And he causeth all, both small and Read more…
This past Thanksgiving, I put together a quick little Sunday School lesson on the Pilgrims. I wanted to save my notes out here in case it helps anyone. At least maybe the links below will give you some good places to look. Elaine Hansen Cleary’s Mayflower was the most help in imagining and understanding the Pilgrim’s story.
In recent news, the world political scene has been changing. Just recently, we learned of Venezuela’s Chavez’s death. That brings uncertainty to the country and rest of the world hopes that new leadership will benefit the country. On the other hand, North Korea just went through a similar loss of a leader when Kim Jong-Un succeeded Kim Jong-il after his death. With the recent threats of nuclear attacks, I’m not sure that the change made much difference.
Here are just a few of the articles I found:
So, I thought that I would do a little brainstorming on the events and what the Bible might have to say about them.
While preparing for our VBS, a new concept in the creation story stood out to me: God infused His personality into His creation as he built our world. I think we should do the same.
If I were to teach a Bible lesson on July 4th, I think it would have to start with this verse: John 8:33-36 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered Read more…
Since the end of school, I’ve been thinking of this verse, and I thought kids could use some encouragement to finish the race strong. When you come near the finish line, a good runner will push his body harder rather than ease up and coast across the line. The same should be true in life including nearing the end of a school year.
So, I think studying races and sports analogies in the Bible was very fitting and encouraging. A great place to start is Hebrews 12:1-2:
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
These are some of the thoughts I had on this verse: