People love a story. Stories excite our imaginations and move our hearts. Children of all ages love to hear and read stories. I think the reason people resonate so much with stories is that we want to make sense of the world and our lives. Stories do that for us. The Bible itself is aContinue reading “Seven Keys to Unlock the Treasure of the Bible: Key Two – The Bible as Story”
Author Archives: Richard Statham
Seven Keys to Unlock the Treasure of the Bible: Key One – The Message of the Bible
The Bible is the all time best selling book. Nothing else comes close. It might also be the least read book. Various studies and reports have been published bemoaning the lack of biblical literacy. While a large majority of American homes own a Bible and many believe it is inspired, only a small percentage readContinue reading “Seven Keys to Unlock the Treasure of the Bible: Key One – The Message of the Bible”
The Book of 1 John
The writings of John the Apostle (The Gospel of John, 1,2,3 John and Revelation) are, on the one hand, simple in vocabulary, but on the other hand, they are complex and deep theologically, and profound and transformative spiritually. Because of this it is easy to miss their powerful meaning. The first letter of John isContinue reading “The Book of 1 John”
Deep and Wide: Reading the Bible for Transformation
One of the many amazing things God has done for us is that he has given us a book. That book is the Bible. Books are meant to be read. God meant for us to read his book. God speaks to his people in his written word, the holy Scriptures. But reading the Bible isContinue reading “Deep and Wide: Reading the Bible for Transformation”
The Book of Revelation
Many books in the Bible deserve the title epic, none more than Revelation. The book of Revelation brings to a close the great epic story of God’s redemption and restoration of his fallen creation. All that has transpired in God’s amazing story is for the praise of his glory. He is the central actor, theContinue reading “The Book of Revelation”
Promises Promises
A promise is like a cool breeze on a hot day. We joyfully welcome it, but are cautiously concerned it will not deliver what we expect. We want to believe every promise made to us, but experience whispers in the ear to be careful. Being burned and hurt too many times can numb the heartContinue reading “Promises Promises”
God is Able
Most people like to feel self-sufficient. We don’t want a lot of help from other people unless we really need it. We want to believe that we can take care of ourselves. This attitude of independence is understandable because it means that we take responsibility for our own lives. Good people do that; they takeContinue reading “God is Able”
The Book of Hosea
The book of Hosea tells the story of the heart wrenching experience of Hosea the prophet. Hosea was called by God to marry an unfaithful woman. That call of God for his marriage shapes the message of the entire book. But the book contains much more than that. The book expresses the heart cry ofContinue reading “The Book of Hosea”
Meditating on the Promises of God
One of the truly amazing things about God is that God is a promise making and a promise keeping God. God literally makes hundreds of promises in the Bible, which is wonderful in its self, but the really wonderful thing is that the same Bible tells us that God is faithful to keep his promises.Continue reading “Meditating on the Promises of God”
The Book of Ezekiel: Glory Departed
Ezekiel is a strange and wonderful book. Its writer loved God and loved God’s people. That is evident throughout the entire book. Ezekiel lived and served God in a difficult time of great suffering. The two great superpowers of the day, Egypt and Babylon, were always bearing down on tiny Judah. Ezekiel himself suffered much,Continue reading “The Book of Ezekiel: Glory Departed”
Burning Hearts 