The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. — John 1:14 MSG The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come. — Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Welcome OBS friends, new…
What Kind of Woman?
Editor’s note: The following excerpt is from one of our favorite books of this past year. It is powerfully insightful, it is fun and inspirational, and it is filled with heart-pumping Hope. You Are the Girl for the Job by Jess Connolly will spur you on in the belief of the most foundational truth –…
It is for Freedom You Have Been Set Free
Throughout the letter of Galatians, Paul shows us all the pitfalls of trying to live a legalistic life, how the law has failed us, that it served a purpose for a while, but Jesus Christ has given us this inheritance, this adoption. He has changed the game and here’s why… He says it’s for…
Jesus In Me: One Thing I Know for Certain
I have heard the Holy Spirit spoken of as an “it,” a feeling, a dove, a flame of fire, a ghost, an emotion, or even an ecstatic experience. He is referred to as the third Person of the Trinity, as though He is the least of the Trinity, or a postscript to the more…
The Longing for That One Thing You Think You Need…
In his study on the life of King David, Chuck Swindoll wrote, “David, being a man with a strong sexual appetite, mistakenly thought, To satisfy it I will have more women. Thus, when he became king, he added to the harem, but his drive only increased. One of the lies of our secular society is…
Taste and See: The Jeweled Symbolism of Salt in Scripture
Much like the natural wonderment of the mine, salt glistens throughout the pages of the Bible. The first mention of salt in Scripture is also the most infamous. In Genesis, God rains down sulfur on Sodom, Gomorrah & Co. for debauchery and neglect of the poor. Lot’s wife cranes her neck for a forbidden glimpse…
You’re Invited to the You’ll Get Through This Online Bible Study
Everyone goes through hard times. But, sometimes, it’s more than hard. It’s overwhelming. Several years ago, I had $19.13 in my bank with a stack of unpaid bills and no clue how they would get paid. My three younger children and I were living with my parents. My car needed serious repairs (as in…
The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi: Bethlehem
Where It All Began So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While…
You’re Invited to The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi OBS
Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. — Psalm 119:105 The Old Testament was written in ancient Hebrew. The New Testament was written in ancient Greek. We have to understand what the Word of God actually says in order to understand how to apply it to our lives…
Prayer: The Garden of Gethsemane
“Not My Will, but Yours” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” — Luke 22:41-42 Gethsemane means “oil press.” The Garden of Gethsemane is mentioned in Matthew 26:36: Then Jesus went…