Everything Needed Devotions on 2 Peter 1:1-11 Monday—Everything Needed “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). How do you describe yourself? Often, we do so by telling people what we do—physicians, teachers, construction workers, etc. At other times we may identify who we are related to—Miguel’s partner, Alicia’s parent, or […]
Author: Kevin Ruffcorn
The Biblical Hero
The Biblical Hero: Portraits in Nobility and Fallibility, Elliott Rabin (Jewish Publication Society, Philadelphia, 2020) A trip to the shopping mall or supermarket will easily convince a person that heroes are an important part of our culture—any culture, for that matter. There are miniature Wonder Women, Spidermen, Elsas, and Supermen running around everywhere. Heroes educate […]
Isaiah 61:1-11, Suffering Servant
Suffering Servant Isaiah 61:1-11 Monday, Suffering Servant “The spirit of the Lord is upon me” (Isaiah 61:1a). In this passage of Isaiah, the servant is talking. Who the servant is has been a hotly debated topic. The Church has appropriated this passage and applied it to Jesus. The writer of Isaiah probably didn’t have […]
Returning to Eden
Returning to Eden Returning to Eden: A Field Guide for the Spiritual Journey, Heather Hamilton (Quoir, Chico, CA, 2023) Heather Hamilton joins a growing number of authors who write about their transition (escape) from conservative, evangelical Christianity. Heather and her husband had long histories of leadership in evangelical congregations. This chapter of Heather’s life, however, […]
Isaiah 9:1-7, Wonderful Counselor Mighty God
Wonderful Counselor Mighty God Devotions on Isaiah 9:1-7 Monday–Wonderful Counselor Mighty God“But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish” (Isaiah 9:1). Low clouds and rain had been hanging around the small Oregon town for two weeks. The weather was starting to affect even those with the hardiest psyches. Attitudes were tempered, […]
Romans 8:18-39–Inseparable
Inseparable Devotional Thoughts on Romans 8:18-39 Monday–Inseparable“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). Trang was a rambunctious little boy who was into everything. Whenever he would fall and hurt himself his American mother would kiss his wound saying […]
Book Review: Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday–A Novel Ash Wednesday, J. R. Mabry (Apocryphile, Hannacroix, NY, 2022). Grief is a rare topic in a work of fiction. This probably shouldn’t be a surprise. Grief is an uncomfortable topic in general conversation. It is a difficult emotion for us to face as individuals and as communities. When confronted with grief, it […]
Romans 6:1-14, New Life in Christ
New Life in Christ Devotional Thoughts on Romans 6:1-14 Monday–New Life in Christ“Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound” (Romans 6:1)? Paul has boldly proclaimed that we have been justified before God not by keeping the law but because of God’s love through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. […]
Devotions on Romans 5:1-11–Justified by Faith
Justified by Faith, We have Peace with God Justified by Faith Romans 5:1-11 Monday–Justified by Faith “Therefore since we are justified by faith” (Romans 5:1). Cody was working hard on his writing assignment, when his teacher walked by his desk. She bent down and pointed to the left hand side of Cody’s paper. “Cody,” she […]
The Aramaic Jesus
The Aramaic Jesus Revelations of the Aramaic Jesus: The Hidden Teachings of Life and Death, Neil Douglas-Klotz (Hampton Roads, Charlottsville, 2022). There is an old saying that goes, “It loses something in the translation.” Neil Douglas-Klotz would agree, and it is the main point in his book, Revelations of the Aramaic Jesus. Students of the […]