He is a New Creation Devotions for 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 July 27-August 2, 2020 Monday, He is a New Creation “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others” (2 Corinthians 5:11). Brent and Sally plopped down at a table in the teacher’s lounge. It had been one of those days. […]
Author: Kevin Ruffcorn
Lessons on Mental Illness
Lessons on Mental Illness On Satan, Demons, and Psychiatry: Exploring Mental Illness in the Bible, by Ragy R. Girgis, M.D. (Eugene, OR, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2020.) Stories of unclean spirits and demonic possession catch the attention of readers of the Bible. The faithful rejoice over Jesus’ authority over evil and his ability to cast […]
Search for Authenticity
Authentic Christianity: Why It Matters for Followers of Jesus, Peter E. Watts, Charleston, Create Space, 2018. There are times in our lives, as followers of Jesus when we have felt that our light has flickered and almost gone out, or our saltiness has lost some of its taste. We have questioned the validity of calling […]
2 Corinthians 4:1-18, Treasure in Jars of Clay
Treasure in Jars of Clay Devotions on 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 July 20-26, 2020 Monday, Treasure in Jars of Clay “Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:1). Marissa accepted a call to serve a four point parish in rural America. […]
Helpful Book on Mental Hygiene
Helpful Book On Mental Hygiene The Good Book of Mental Hygiene, Gary E. Bell (Eugene, OR, Resource Publications, 2020). Advice comes in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes it comes in the form of clichés or jingles, like “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Advice can be found in encyclopedic tombs, or the […]
2 Corinthians 2:1-10, Tough Love and Difficult Forgiveness
Tough Love and Difficult Forgiveness Devotions for 2 Corinthians 2:1-10 July 13-19, 2020 Monday, “So I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit” (2 Corinthians 2:1) Enjoying a summer walk along a cobblestone path, Brad didn’t did see the stone that jutted out above the others. With only a pair […]
2 Corinthians 1:1-11, A Word of Consolation
A Consoling Embrace A Word of Consolation Devotions for 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 July 6-12, 2020 Monday, A Word of Consolation “Paul an apostle of Christ by the will of God” (2 Corinthians 1:1a). Being an apostle of Christ was not in the career path that Paul had mapped out. Paul’s plans were changed, though, […]
Job 42:7-16, New Beginnings
“There came to him all his brothers and sisters New Beginnings Devotions for Job 42:7-16 June 29-July 5, 2020 Monday, New Beginnings “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends” (Job 42:7a). It is difficult to practice what we preach. The story-teller of Job found this to be true. For forty-one […]
An Examination of Christian Ethics
An Examination of Christian Ethics Honest to Goodness: an Ethical and Spiritual Odyssey, Martin Prozesky, Eugene, OR, Resource Publications, 2019 The Christian church is in a quandary. Our disagreements and arguments have changed from communion and baptism to same sex relationships, the widening gap between the rich and the poor, the treatment of refugees […]
The Kingdom and the Climate
The Green Good News: Christ’s Path to Sustainable and Joyful Life, T. Wilson Dickinson, (Cascade Books, Eugene, 2019). The Kingdom and the Climate Wilson Dickinson, in his book The Green Good News, addresses the topic of climate change. Climate change is a hot topic. We have read books and articles on the topic, and we […]