Entries by alangilman

Half Empty or Half Full?

Download Audio [Right click link to download] “What is that smell!” I blurted upon entering the house. “I don’t smell anything,” my wife, Robin, said in keeping with our well-established roles. I am the “noticer,” especially regarding items of the nose. While she (most of the time) gladly lives life in the moment – an extraordinary […]

Power in Weakness

Download Audio [Right click link to download] My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) What do you picture when you hear “God’s power is made perfect in weakness?” Is it something like “in spite of my weakness, I can experience God’s strength”? It’s something like you […]

Is It Getting Blurry?

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:4-5) I had the privilege of sharing the story and meaning of Hanukkah four times this month. At All Saints Lutheran where I am currently providing Sunday morning pulpit […]

Hanukkah for the Nations

This is an updated version of a TorahBytes message I wrote a few year ago. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD. And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I […]

Poop Is Not a Toy

Download Audio [Right click link to download] Did you know that some of the most popular toys this holiday season are poop-themed? I am not talking about novelty items designed to gross you out. There’s that too, but big-name toy and game companies such as Hasbro and Mattel are hoping to make some big bucks via […]

The Bible: Faith’s Basis

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that the Messiah (ESV: Christ) died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) Does your faith depend on the Bible? Or […]

How to Teach the Bible to Children Even When It Is Complex

Download Audio [Right click link to download] By Alan Gilman. Originally posted on the Gospel Coalition website (Canadian Edition), July 16, 2018. While preparing to teach a Bible class at a small Christian classical academy, I encountered a sticky theological and philosophical issue, which I thought it best to avoid. These are only children after all. They […]

The Indivisible Scriptures

Download Audio [Right click link to download] Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35) This past spring, popular megaplex church leader, Andy Stanley, presented a three-part sermon series, entitled “Aftermath,” described on his church’s website as: “Jesus’ resurrection launched a series of events that introduced the world to his new covenant and new hope. But old ways […]

Escaping the Ideological Snare

I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?” Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. (Job 42:2-3; ESV) In my desire to more fully understand and […]