Posts by Adam Berdine (Page 4)
Sound Words, February 24, 2019
The Beauty of Reconciliation Sometimes people don’t get along. And yes, there are in fact greater understatements. In any case, for those of us with siblings, we probably learned fairly early just how easily conflict can arise. From disputes over toys to room intrusions, to wars waged over the coveted shotgun seat, it seems there is no shortage of reasons for children to bicker. I can only imagine, then, that two boys as different as Jacob and Esau could have…
Sound Words, February 17, 2019
The Meaning of Life I have lived most of my life as a dead man. While that statement is sure to warrant at least a few raised eyebrows, I’d argue that any surprise stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of what it really means to be alive. Occasionally, we talk about our “spiritual lives” and “physical lives” as if the two could be separated. On the one hand, we can only understand life and death as we witness it: the spark of energy…
Sound Words, February 10, 2019
The Best Record in History It’s a pretty big deal for sports teams to have a perfect record throughout the season.It’s also extremely difficult to maintain, especially after a team has held one for a while. For one thing, players feel the additional pressure of perfection that tempts them to strive not to lose rather than fighting to win. But they also experience a lot of extra attention as every other team tries to dethrone them. Invariably, perfect records dissolve…
Sound Words, February 3, 2019
Brethren or Burdens? I’ve never smelled a dead body, but I’ve been told you never forget the stench. I can only imagine, then, how cemented the scene of Cain’s seething rage must have been in his memory. What a disturbing image: the sight of his own brother’s beaten, lifeless corpse lying before his feet, as a crimson river silently flowed into the thirsty ground beneath him. And it’s that smell, the foul stench of death, that wafts through the Bible…
Sound Words, January 27, 2019
Naaman’s Baptism There are many types and anti-types in the Bible. Many are deliberate Old Testament stories or characters that foreshadow principles revealed in later days. Deliberate or not, there is a parallel to baptism seen in a well-known Old Testament story – the healing of Naaman. On the surface, some parallels are clearly evident. Both involve washing in water; both persons are healed and made purely clean. Beyond that, a closer look at Naaman reveals an attitude seen over…
Sound Words, December 2, 2018
One Nation Under God Can you imagine life on earth where every cultural barrier gave way to global unity? Neither can I. Nevertheless, it does seem like man has maintained an unwavering resolve to realize this dream. There was a time, though, when that beloved dream was our ancestors’ reality. It was a time when one building defined a generation. “Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words. It came about as they journeyed east, that…
Sound Words, September 30, 2018
Keeping Watch We are not as familiar with the concept of keeping watch as were previous generations. Construction techniques and materials have made our lives more secure. Hi-tech cameras and sensors monitor our country, businesses, homes and even the baby’s crib. Technology has certainly reduced the human effort required but has in no wise eliminated the need for this essential function. We must keep watch against foreign invaders, homegrown terrorists, domestic criminals of all sorts, politicians, a multitude of natural…
Moments Wisdom – September 30, 2018
A Moment’s Wisdom “I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.” This anonymous Quaker Proverb was published in Household Words: A Weekly Journal. The year was 1859. It beautifully expresses a truth that Jesus recognized and defined approximately 1830 years prior.…