“And the King Will Take a Tenth…”

One of the important and critical design documents in the Scripture for the sphere of the State is found in 1 Samuel 8.
Here is the background: Because the judges in Israel had become corrupt, the elders came to Samuel and asked him to appoint a king to rule over them—a king like the other nations [...]

Responses to My Tax Blog

Well, the subject of taxes sure raises hackles. Several of you took great exception to viewing our tax structure in such a way that shows a small minority carries most of the tax burden.
But that wasn’t really my point. Maybe I didn’t do a good job communicating.
The point was that we are clamoring for [...]

It’s an Iguana!

I’m not an expert in iguanas, so those of you who are can correct me, but I think it is a green iguana…iguana iguana.
So several of you were right. It was a close-up of his front legs.
I also think it is a male because of the fold of skin under his neck (called a [...]

What is this?

I took this picture a couple of weeks ago.
I sent it to my grandchildren and asked them to try and identify it.
Their answers were so interesting that I thought I would give others a shot at it to.
Ask your kids.
I’ll give you the “bigger picture” next time.

Tax Day: Who Is Carrying All the Bricks?

Think of all the American households as being represented by 100 people and the entire federal tax burden represented by 100 bricks.
60 of the people are each carrying ½ of a brick;
19 of the people are each carrying 2 bricks;
20 people aren’t carrying anything;
1 person is carrying 39 bricks.
Most people think that the one person [...]

Easter Dinner with Family & Institute Students

I hope your Easter was as delightful as ours. The morning worship service was a great blessing—the singing, the fellowship, the message, the orchestra and choir, and the moving “Halleluiah Chorus” at the end.
Our family gathered together at our house and we were blessed to have seven of our Institute students join us. They were [...]

Then Came the Morning!

“He has risen!” Mark 16:6
“He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3
“He is not here; He has risen!” Luke 24:6
“He has risen, just as He said.” Matt 28:6
“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and [...]

The Divine Hesitation—Agony in the Oil Press (cont)

Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani!
The Passover meal was finished. The evening discussion with the disciples had come to an end. They had sung a final hymn together.
And now it was time.
There wasn’t anything left to do but head for the garden…Gethsemane…the Oil Press.
Jesus had often met with His disciples there. That’s how Judas knew [...]

The Divine Hesitation—Agony in the Oil Press

The old city of Capernaum sits on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. Much of it has been excavated to reveal the plan of what it looked like in the days when Jesus walked there. In 1968, archeologists even believed they had uncovered Peter’s house. I was fascinated as I stood next to [...]

Great Responses!

Wow! Thank you for your great responses! They were terrific!
Here are the “buckets” they seem to fall into, beginning with the largest number of responses (you will notice some overlap):
1. Exclusivity & pluralism—What makes Jesus right and Buddha or Allah wrong? Why Christianity versus all the others? Why is Jesus the only way? Isn’t this [...]