Seven is often referred to as the number of perfection in the Bible.  It’s said to represent completeness.  And in simple human terms, forgiving someone of a repeated offense seven times seems way beyond gracious.  Peter’s inquiry of Jesus in Matthew 18:21—‘shall I forgive seven times?’ feels like a lofty aim.  Peter appears ready to go the extra mile—another of… Continue reading

A soft answer turns away wrath, BUT a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1) Continue reading

Recently a friend of mine learned she cannot have a child. I know that she would be a great mom.  Not long ago I met a child who was sold into prostitution by her own mother at the age of seven.  Now I ask you, wouldn’t things have been better off (and wouldn’t children have been better served) if God had allowed my friend to… Continue reading

Buts in song? Isaac Watts is credited with having written somewhere near 1000 hymns for the church to sing.  He was rather controversial in his day–he dared to depart from the strick singing of scripture that stemmed from the teachings of John Calvin.  Are you ready for this?  Watts is believed to be the first worship song composer… Continue reading

One passage teemed with buts is 1 Peter 2:4-10.  There you find five buts in seven verses, all focused on making one point: Jesus is the Living Stone. Jesus is: the living Stone–rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious to Him. Having called upon the readers of his letter to grow in their faith, Peter now uses a… Continue reading

It’s all over the place in the Bible–condemnation of pride and arrogance and commendation of humility.  It usually reads like this: God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Whether it’s in James 4:6 (which is quoting Psalm 138:6), or among Jesus’ teachings like an example in Matthew 23:12, or in any number of proverbs like… Continue reading

A simple man believes anything, BUT a prudent man gives thought to his steps. (Prov. 14:15) Continue reading