Is Gad Jacob's son, a troop, fortune or a pagan deity? (Isaiah 65:11)
'Difficult Sayings' from Jonathan Went

Gad is first mentioned in Genesis 30:11 when "Leah said, "A troop comes!" So she called his name Gad" (KJV), as the traditional translation has it. Whilst the Authorised Version has Gad meaning "troop" the more modern NIV renders the Genesis passage, "Leah said, "What good fortune!" So she named him Gad" (cf. NRSV etc). Gad, the proper name of…

Good News People
'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelly

I used to work in radio. As such, I am a fond fan of "WKRP In Cincinnati". Every now and then episodes show up on TV Land and I get to watch that whole goofy ensemble work their magic again. From Mr. Carlson, the station owner, right down to Bailey Quarters, the traffic lady, I appreciated them all. Even Herb…

Why Contemplative Prayer Is Critically Wrong
'Dose of Truth' from Brent Barnett

Contemplative prayer is based in spiritual formation, it teaches the use of spiritual directors, and it teaches that we need to center ourselves in prayer. These terms and phrases are found nowhere in the Bible, nor do they have any Biblical basis. Some who advocate the use of contemplative prayer use Psalm 46:10 where…

Spirit of Bondage or Spirit of Adoption (3 of 4)
'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

The Spirit of adoption is not the adoption; it is a forerunner of it. The Spirit of adoption involves the attitude of the believer as he or she contemplates the glory that is yet to be ours. Paul put it this way: For I consider [reckon; kjv] that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the…

The Money Test
'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

  Sitting across from the temple treasury, He watched how the crowd dropped money into the treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums. And a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little. Summoning His disciples, He said to them, "I assure you: This poor widow has put in more than…