Press On Journal

God is present in every aspect of life, from nature to personal experiences. Recognizing and appreciating His involvement leads to a deeper relationship and trust in His guidance. Challenges arise, but faith grows through them. Ultimately, serving God by caring for others, especially the vulnerable, brings profound meaning and purpose.

Like renovating an old house, renovation of spiritual life is essential for growth. Traditions can become outdated and limit our relationship with God. Critically examining beliefs, being open to change, and finding a supportive community are crucial for spiritual renewal and deepening our connection with Jesus.

The apparent contradiction between the violent, wrathful portrayal of God in the Old Testament and the loving, merciful character of God revealed through Jesus in the New Testament may be a result of cultural accommodations and hyperbolic language. God withdrawing his protection rather than directly inflicting violence could explain the apparent dichotomy while upholding Jesus as the full revelati...

Prayer transforms us by deepening our relationship with God, aligning our desires with His will, and giving us peace in trusting His presence, even when our specific requests are not granted.

Daniel, though exiled, used his influence to benefit God's people: securing promotions for friends, ensuring decent treatment of Israelite slaves, protecting Jeremiah, releasing prisoners, enabling temple rebuilding, and guiding wise men to worship the Messiah – exemplifying God's extravagant providence amidst judgment.

There is prevalent doubt among the current generation, not about God's existence, but about His worth and the value of having a relationship with Him. The constant stimulation and distractions of modern life lead to apathy towards spiritual matters. Integrating faith into everyday activities, like camping with friends, can overcome this apathy and provide a path to rediscovering the worth of a rel...

A midwife’s perspective across her many experiences of births, providing comfort during labor's intensity, validating the purpose of pain, and encouraging perseverance until the triumph of new life provide a powerful spiritual metaphor for how we can serve one another in love.

Ruth transforms from a destitute widow to a redeemer through her faith in God. She redeems both her mother-in-law Naomi and her predecessor Tamar, culminating in the birth of King David, restoring Tamar's lineage after ten generations of exclusion.

Fear of rejection within the Christadelphian community because of struggles with same-sex attraction can lead to mental health issues. In contrast, echoing the way Jesus loved outcasts like tax collectors and Samaritans, Christians should extend compassion, understanding, and acceptance towards LGBTQ+ individuals, rather than marginalizing or shunning them.

The witch at Endor encounters God's power, and is terrified when Samuel appears. She realizes Saul's identity when Samuel pronounces Saul's doom. The witch comforts the devastated king, her role evolving from criminal to caregiver. Her future hints at possible conversion.

Understanding the challenges and nuances involved in translating texts helps us to make sense of the potential impact of translation discrepancies on interpretations, and contrasting the roles of formal equivalence (word-for-word) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) approaches helps us to recognize the cultural lens through which translations are viewed.

We are familiar with the bread and wine as symbols of Christ’s physical body and blood, but the bread also represent Christ's body as the ecclesia, and the cup represents our commitment to service. Thus Paul exhorts the Corinthians to discern the body when gathered together, caring for one another rather than selfishly satisfying themselves.

Christadelphian membership is declining, partly due to people leaving more frequently. While reasons for leaving vary, the impact is often damaging to social connections. Suggestions for maintaining relationships include emphasizing open communication, avoiding assumptions, and respecting beliefs.

Questioning and ultimately rejecting the traditional view of biblical inerrancy led the author to a crisis of faith. Following the examples of Jesus and Paul, issues of contradictions, moral problems, and cultural contexts in the Bible require a more nuanced understanding of inspiration that allows for human interpretation and reinterpretation. A holistic approach to faith is able to embrace the B...

Breathe deeply, let go of control, and find rest in God's presence through quiet meditation and stillness, as modeled by Jesus' life, to experience peace amid life's busyness.

Delilah was a victim manipulated by the Philistine lords to betray Samson, with the promise of wealth she could never obtain otherwise. Samson truly loved her despite suspecting her motives, but didn’t know the lords intended to kill her even after using her to capture Samson. The later reappearance of the 1,100 pieces of silver owed to Delilah is the key evidence that she met a tragic end.

Abortion is a complex and emotive issue with no easy answers. The Bible does not provide definitive guidance, and there are valid arguments on both sides. While some view abortion as violating the sanctity of life, others prioritize compassion for the woman's circumstances. Ultimately, it is a personal decision that should be made without judgment or coercion from others.

The Bible's message transcends nationalism, promoting universality and individuality over tribalism and national exceptionalism. Traditional Christadelphian interpretations that rely heavily on national destinies may lead to oversimplified, entitled thinking and a lack of empathy. Geopolitical prophecy interpretations may need to be reinterpreted to align more closely with Jesus's teachings of com...

Oral-based cultures in ancient times emphasized the primacy of the spoken word over written texts, including Jesus' teachings and the early church's oral traditions that preceded the written gospels and epistles.

Courage involves vulnerability and resilience after failure. Biblical examples illustrate these components: Jael courageously killed the enemy captain Sisera despite grave personal risk; Jesus compassionately affirmed the woman who anointed his feet despite judgment from others; and Mary Magdalene courageously shared Jesus' resurrection despite cultural barriers. Practicing courage expands our com...

Elijah’s interactions with the widow, the Shunammite woman, and Naaman illustrate vulnerability, empathy, and the courage to ask for help. These stories encourage us to be honest and vulnerable with each other and God.

Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho, hid Israelite spies and helped them escape, showing her faith in God. God rewarded her by sparing her family during Israel's conquest of Canaan. Her actions symbolically represent her role as a midwife, assisting in the birth of Israel as a nation in the Promised Land.

The war in Ukraine provides an opportunity to reflect on two biblical themes: longing for God's justice and overcoming evil with good. It highlights the biblical vision of God's Kingdom where justice prevails, and encourages Christians to respond to injustice through acts of love, empathy and compassion towards all, including refugees.

Confirmation bias involves favoring information that confirms our existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence, leading to distorted interpretations and flawed decision-making. It is exemplified by the Pharisees' rejection of Jesus despite overwhelming evidence of his divine origins, due to their preconceived notions about the Messiah.

Paul's first letter to the Corinthians addresses various issues and conflicts within the Corinthian church, based on reports from Chloe's household. He addresses divisions and misunderstandings about marriage, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection. Paul emphasizes the importance of love, unity, and proper conduct in the church, while refuting false teachings.