-
But the Lord Was My Support
Read Psalm 18:1–19 “I love you, LORD, my strength.” What a beautiful way to begin a song. Psalm 18 is David’s celebration of deliverance. The long years of running, hiding, fearing for his life, and wondering what Saul might do next were finally behind him. God had delivered him. And David’s first response was not… Continue reading
-
But They Refused
An excerpt from Chapter 22. In or Out? RSVP. It’s shorthand for the French phrase répondez s’il vous plaît—“please reply.” An RSVP calls for a response. Ignoring one is considered pretty poor etiquette. The host may need to know how many chairs to set up, how much food to prepare, or how many place settings will… Continue reading
-
But Thanks Be To God
This Friday’s Where Broken Stories Meet God’s Grace post takes a personal turn. Next Wednesday will mark 43 years since my dad died. I was sixteen. Even now, I can close my eyes and watch that day unfold as if it were yesterday. So today I’m pausing to share one of the pivotal moments in my own… Continue reading
-
Proverbial But O’ the Week: Diligence
Diligence The sluggard craves and gets nothing, BUT the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. (Proverbs 13:4) Desire by itself doesn’t accomplish much. We can want change, want growth, want healing, want a better relationship, want to accomplish something meaningful—even want to draw closer to God—but eventually desire has to put its shoes on and get… Continue reading
-
The Pivot: But Judge Your Neighbor Fairly
“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”—Leviticus 19:15 Justice can be distorted in more than one direction. God warns His people not to favor the powerful because of their influence—but neither are they to favor the poor simply because of their need. Wealth,… Continue reading
-
But If We Walk in the Light
Read 1 John 1:1–10 There are two wonderfully hopeful buts tucked into the first chapter of John’s first letter. But before we get to them—and yes, that but was intentional—we need to notice how John begins. This is John, the beloved disciple, one of Jesus’ closest companions. The opening of his letter sounds remarkably like the opening of his… Continue reading
-
But Makes Thy Glories Known
As longtime students know, the doctor occasionally ventures beyond Scripture in search of his favorite conjunction. He has discovered buts hiding in literature, speeches, popular culture, and—because the doctor appreciates a good tune—music. Today he has wandered into an old hymnal. And there, waiting patiently for nearly three centuries, he found a beauty. Meet Mr. Watts Isaac… Continue reading
Darin Michael Shaw
In addition to being the world’s foremost expert on the conjunction but, author and freelance writer Darin Michael Shaw (he/him/his) identifies as a post-evangelical, free-range Jesus Freak, taking Jesus seriously when he says, “Follow me,” while inviting others to come and see for yourself.
Big Buts of the Bible 