24 May 2012

Review: Who Was the Mother of Harlots: Drunk with the Blood of the Saints


Who Was the Mother of Harlots: Drunk with the Blood of the Saints
Who Was the Mother of Harlots: Drunk with the Blood of the Saints by Steve Temple

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a very nice, concise treatise looking back at the history of God's dealings with his people Israel and Judah, and all of the times of covenant breaking, idolatry, harlotry, etc. that they had performed time and time again, and how God promised over and over again how they would be brought under judgment for it. To me this is great to have, a single shorter work detailing all of the issues of the people over the centuries in one place.

22 May 2012

Review: Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters


Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters
Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters by N.T. Wright

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had read some mixed reviews on this book before starting it myself. Some were saying it was complicated, some saying it is a rehash of stuff from a couple of his previous books, books which presented it better. However, I found it to be a great read. Having read a handful of Wright's stuff before, I have found some to be very deep theological (which I enjoy), and others not so much. This for fall into the category of the not-to-deep.

13 May 2012

Lord's Supper Devotion: Take My Burden


This is a little devotional I presented to our church prayer group today during the Lord's Supper time.
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I would like to take a look at the following verses from Matthew, and some of the background, cultural and implications we can draw from it. Jesus says:

Come unto me, all ye labouring and burdened ones, and I will give you rest, take up my yoke upon you, and learn from me, because I am meek and humble in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Mat 11:28-30 YLT)

At the time when Jesus came on the scene, it was common practice for Rabbi’s to take on disciples, and those disciples were expected to take a place of total obedience and dedication to the Rabbi and his philosophy. The purpose was for the disciple to become just like the Rabbi, and this rabbi/disciple relationship is what is meant to take on the “yoke” of the rabbi.