The Bible offers two tellings of Moses receiving the 10 Commandments. One in Exodus and another in Deuteronomy. Against a literalism, we might notice that although the Sabbath commandment is largely the same, one saying “remember” and the other “observe,” Exodus and Deuteronomy offer different supporting arguments. Let’s hear the word of God. “Remember […]
Author Archives: paulrpurdue
Growing up, my parents back porch was a sort of sanctuary. One of dad’s younger brothers, Uncle Dave often came to visit, Uncle David, 15 years younger than dad, was a successful businessman with newer, nicer cars, finer clothing, and more sophisticated tastes than his older brother. My parent’s home offered warmth and love that […]
If I stood at center ice of Bridgestone arena, grabbed the microphone and said “I believe that hockey is the greatest sport in the world” would that make me a hockey player? Or would I need to learn how to ice skate? Would I need to understand what the blue line is for? Shouldn’t I […]
Right after Christmas, we were on vacation in New Orleans as part of our family quest to see all of the lower 48 states before Lewis and Caleb graduate from college. I also was helping officiate Ann Marie Honeycutt and Pat Ramirez’s Wedding. I was feeling deeply relaxed. I woke up at 6 o’clock […]
“Where Do We Go From Here?” In 1972 Dr. Martin Luther King looked around America and asked that question. King saw two fundamental and divergent responses to the problems that have plagued America since long before the civil rights movement and continue to infect our society in 2016. Some may think our current terrorism is […]
I was a seventh grader, the first year of Junior High school and excited to finally be part of the youth group at church, but missing children’s activities at church. One day mom called me to the corded kitchen phone, it was a lady from church, Mrs. Wells, who asked me if I would help […]
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was […]
Our neighborhood in Antioch was far more interesting place to live than Tullahoma’s Sharondale Drive. We lived on a busy side street in the most diverse zip code in TN. Several times a day a conjoined city bus drove by our house and the pick-up line for Cole Elementary often backed up past our house. […]
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is […]
A Heart for Hope Our Second Advent Candle lighting John came preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John calls out “Get ready- Prepare the way for the Lord.” The crowds ask “what should we do?” John answers “Repent and produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Don’t trust in your […]
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