wordspread

Our sweet Gary has a clubfoot - a growth issue with his foot where it points inward due to tightness of the achilles tendon and a slower growth rate of certain parts of his leg and foot. Thankfully, its treatable, and we're blessed to have the medical professionals in our area of the world who are able to treat it skillfully. We praise God that he should have full recovery and functionality in his foot, but are humbled by the fact that without treatment it would turn into a lifelong disability, with pain and difficulty walking. It seems like a lot of appointments and work in the present, but it will be worth all of it when he's able to walk without pain!  Gary's clubfoot tells us the story of the gospel: In life, we all have a growth issue: our lives point inward. We are self-focused and sinful. Sin, without treatment, also turns into a lifelong (you could go further and say eternal ) disability. It might not feel painful in the stages of infancy (much like a clubfoot), bu...

I love Bible studies.  But, there's a problem: Bible studies are people's interpretations of scripture. They aren't actually scripture. While they have their place, and can be such beautiful tools, I realized this week that I have a problem with Bible studies:  I found myself spending more time in my study books - answering questions, reading what certain passages might mean, focusing on the commentary, etc., than in the actual passages of scripture. I'd first open my study book, and then open my Bible as the "supplement" or "addition to" the study. While the studies aren't necessarily written that way, it was an encouragement to do a heart check.  Am I spending time in God's word or in someone else's word?  As Jen Wilkin says (in her introductory video to her Exodus study, "God of Deliverance"), " you won't answer to God for someone else's interpretation of scripture." I am responsible to answer for mine, an...