Conversations at the Ranch with Dudley Hall

Luke 4:16-21 - The remnant of Israel had been looking for a day of vindication for more than 400 years. That is a long time; approximately 100 generations. They expected it to look like previous battles when Israel’s army was energized under King David and the enemies were subdued. But it was different. A lone figure out by the Jordan River was preparing the way. He was a little strange and preac...

Matthew 6:9-13 - We often confess that living is hard—even Christian living is hard. Sometimes especially living the Christian life is hard. Where is the rub? How does that sync with Jesus saying that his yoke was easy and his burden light (Matthew 11:30)? Is it hard to be good when we are people infected with sin? Sure! If the goal is being good. Is it hard to love God when we are desperately t...

Colossians 2:1-3 - In his letter to the Colossians, the apostle Paul emphasizes the necessity of Christ being the center of all relationships. There is a war going on in the heavenly realm. The enemy wins to make Jesus' role less than it really is. We are still looking for better ways to solve the problem of chaos in our world, so there are many causes vying for our attention. But there is on...

Colossians 2:13-15 - Every viable religious system in the world admits that there is something that needs fixing in mankind's existence. Polytheists try to appease the gods. Pantheists try to lose individuality in order to emerge into the oneness of reality. Naturalists believe that time will eventually produce a better species. Monotheists seek to align with the god they worship. All operate...