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Two Words That Might Save Your Soul

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Being human is difficult, but sometimes a pause to reflect can make a big difference.  Ephesians 2:4 says: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us…”  Pastor James Boice jumps on those first two words as a key turning point: “But God! Here is where the beauty and wonder of the Christian gospel comes in.”

Ephesians 2 begins with people following “the course of this world,” chasing whatever “passions” and “desires” came to mind.  Before “but God”, we were all “dead” (v 1) and “by nature children of wrath” (v 3).  All of our efforts are doomed to failure.

The story does not stop there.  For God’s people it never does.  After “but God”, we have been made alive together with Christ (v 5), we are shown the immeasurable riches of His grace (v 7), and we are enabled to do the good, meaningful works He has prepared for us (v 10).

When we wonder whether this world is all there is and that this is the best we can do, we respond “But God…” When frustrated with yourself, with others, or with the world in general, bring to mind the words “but God.”  These words are relevant to every situation because He has not left things as they are, but He intervened through Jesus on the cross and through His Spirit in our lives every day.  “The words ‘but God’ show what God has done. If you understand those two words – ‘but God’ – they will save your soul. If you recall them daily and live by them, they will transform your life completely.”[1]

Call the words “but God…” to mind whenever you’re overcome with negativity.  Say “but God…” to others who are struggling.  For every situation, He can fill the “…” with hope if you pause and give Him the opportunity.  But also, when you see God’s blessings in your daily life, think “but God” because He has not left us alone.

[1] From “November 7.” James Montgomery Boice and Marion Clark. Come to the Waters: Daily Bible Devotions for Spiritual Refreshment.  (2017).

Coming Soon: Bible in a Year

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Fellow travelers,

Have you ever read the Bible in a year?  If you haven’t, have you ever wanted to?  If you cover 3 chapters a day on weekdays and 4 on weekends, it almost exactly comes to the 1,189 total chapters over a full year.  2024 is a leap year, so there’s an extra day.

Beginning on Sunday, I’ll be posting here every week a guide for the following Monday – Sunday.  My personal approach is to study 2-3 chapters per day in the morning along with a study bible or commentary, and just read or listen to audio for the remaining chapter at night.  I start every year with one Psalm a day, plus something else in the morning, and a different book in the evening.  I find the variety helpful.  It doesn’t always work out that way, but that’s the plan.

Weekly I will post Morning and Evening chapters, but readers could follow along any way they want.  They could just read the one chapter per day (the “Evening” reading), or just the 2-3 chapters (the “Morning” reading).  They could use an audio Bible for all or part of it.  They could swap the Morning and Evening chapters if that’s a better schedule.  Everyone knows best what works for them and what they’re likely to stick with, even if it’s not the whole Bible in a year.

This year will start with Psalms and 1 Samuel in the morning, since so many Psalms are based on David’s life, which is covered in 1 and 2 Samuel.  The evenings will start with the Pentateuch.

Looking forward to 2024!

Presents of Presence: A Holiday Quint of Quotes

Todd R 4 Comments

Dear fellow travelers,

With mere days remaining until Christmas, here is a Quint of Quotes, five sayings for the holidays!

Photo by Stéphane Juban on Unsplash

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity” – Simone Weil

“The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world” – Plato

“When given the choice between being right or being kind choose kind.” – from the book Wonder, by R.J. Palacio

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Paul, in Ephesians 4:32

“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” – guardian angel Clarence Oddbody, in It’s a Wonderful Life

Merry Christmas to all my readers – first timers, occasional passersby, and a handful of regulars!

Where Has the Time Gone?

Todd R 2 Comments

Dear fellow travelers,

Time to write – or even think about writing – has been hard to come by.  Between increased work demands over the past few weeks, preparation for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, and just general distractions, I have written very little new material, and posted even less, in two months.

So, I’ve decided to intentionally put the blog on hiatus, except for maybe a Christmas post or two, until 2024.  In the meantime, I’m planning for the new year including what writing goals to set and how to achieve them.  I’ll likely post a Bible-in-a-year outline every Sunday and perhaps recycle old posts that refer to those texts as we go along.

So Merry Christmas to all and see you again in 2024!

Thanksgiving is a Habit

Todd R 1 Comment

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” – Colossians 4:2

The purpose of celebrating Thanksgiving yesterday was to remind us to be thankful today and every day. What was worth being thankful for yesterday is still with you today!

If Christianity is true, this is not “being a Pollyanna” or seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. Live like it is true by making thanksgiving a habit, not a holiday.