by Stephen Weinkauf

Recently in my Hebrew Exegesis course, I’ve been studying the story of Gideon in Judges 6-8. The section starts off introducing Midian, a scary sounding state that is overpowering Israel. In Judges 6:12-24 we are introduced to Gideon. The angel of the Lord appears to him, calls him a man of valor, and tells him to go and save Israel from the hand of Midian. How does Gideon, this supposed man of valor, respond? He’s afraid and weak.

by Dan Dillon

The Bible doesn’t use the word entertainment, except maybe once: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Heb. 13:2), but the context is about hospitality, not “having fun”. It doesn't use recreation or amusement, either.  It doesn’t seem to speak specifically on these topics. But it has a lot of very big things to say about rest.

by Will Peycke

Imagine you are sitting in a restaurant and overhear a conversation between two 30-something men in the booth behind you. You hear one man say, “I don’t do anything unless my dad tells me.” What would you think? Words like “needy,” “codependent,” and “immature” come quickly to mind. Talk about “failure to launch”—this guy needs to grow up! And yet that is exactly what Jesus said

by Abraham Cremeens

I can guess what I would have said if I were Peter, James, or John. It would have been a whisper, cupping one of the others’ ears, slightly leaning in. Though soft, it would have been emphatic. Though muted, it would have been with alarm. “I can’t believe Jesus just said that! Is that even allowed?!”