If you are just beginning to explore Inductive Bible Study, you may want to start by reading my article, Inductive Bible Study: An Overview. And then come back and read this article on "Contrast." Looking for Major Structures in the Biblical Text One of the primary steps of Inductive Bible Study is the Survey. This … Continue reading Ever Notice All the Opposites in the Bible? (Learning to Recognize “Contrasts” in Inductive Bible Study)
Adventures Blog
Lectio Divina for Christian Writers
Lectio divina is a helpful practice for Christian writers - and for anyone who wants to grow in relationship with God. The term lectio divina means “divine reading.” This is where you engage the Bible spiritually - not with your mind, but with your spirit. While there is a time and place to engage your heart and mind … Continue reading Lectio Divina for Christian Writers
Psalm 23:1 in Hebrew: A Very Real Relationship with a Very Real God
This is one of my favorite verses in biblical Hebrew - Psalm 23:1: יְהוָה רֹעִי לאֹ אֶחְסָר (YHWH ro-’ee lo ekh-sar.) As a student of biblical Hebrew, it takes me several rounds of translation before arriving at smooth-sounding English. I love the first stage of this process, and I really don't ever want to lose … Continue reading Psalm 23:1 in Hebrew: A Very Real Relationship with a Very Real God
Praying for Students Entering College
If you feel called to pray for your community and/or your church, one of the best ways you can pray right now is for young people who are entering college. Our community prayer group is currently praying for: Students still in high school but starting dual enrollment classes in college this semester. College freshmen returning … Continue reading Praying for Students Entering College
A “Tail” of Two Rodents: Gauging My Progress with Trauma Healing
At Christmas, I was out of town spending time with family. When I returned home, I discovered a rodent had taken up residence in my apartment. Granted, I live over the garage of a log cabin on a wooded farm. Rodents happen. I get that. But now I had a rodent claiming squatter’s rights. It … Continue reading A “Tail” of Two Rodents: Gauging My Progress with Trauma Healing
Memories of Learning Russian with Rita
My favorite memories of living as an American in Russia in the late 1990s include the early evenings I spent in the kitchen, sharing in Russian conversation with Rita, the mother of the family I lived with. All these years later, I remember it like it was yesterday. Continue reading in new location. This article … Continue reading Memories of Learning Russian with Rita
The Writer’s Prayer Life
Prayer is a key part of the writing process. We should seek God regularly for what He would have us write. We need to begin and end our writing time and writing projects with prayer. We should remain prayerful as we write. Ideally every word we write should be bathed in prayer. But that’s just … Continue reading The Writer’s Prayer Life
Biblical Hebrew Qal Verbs: Yatza and Matza (but not Matzah)
Let's look at two Qal verbs in biblical Hebrew: יָצָא ("yatza"), which means "to go forth," and מָצָא ("matza"), which means "to find." (Remember, Qal is a type of Hebrew verb stem, or "binyan." If you don't know what that means yet, that's okay - you can still learn these verbs and their meanings.) I have … Continue reading Biblical Hebrew Qal Verbs: Yatza and Matza (but not Matzah)
Rodent Removal: A Lesson in Overcoming Fear
I want to thank everyone who prayed for me this past week. Last Wednesday, I returned from a Christmas trip visiting my family. My apartment had been empty for a week. When I arrived home, the first thing I noticed was the plants I had left sitting on the kitchen counter. One had two holes … Continue reading Rodent Removal: A Lesson in Overcoming Fear
Honor is Not the Same as Tolerance
When I was growing up, my mom would often vent to me about her bitterness toward people. My mom was not the kind of person people would think of as bitter. In public, she came across as quiet and kind, and a little bit quirky and eccentric. What people didn’t realize was that her compassion … Continue reading Honor is Not the Same as Tolerance
Adventures with God 