Learn more about all twelve of the Bible’s Minor Prophets in Peter’s book, Return to Me: 40 Prophetic Teachings about Unfaithfulness, Punishment, and Hope from the Minor Prophets
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Let’s play word association. I say “St Patrick” and you might say “March 17,” “shamrock” (three leaf clovers), “Ireland,” “leprechaun,” or “adult beverages” with a green hue. To be cute, you might even answer with an Irish brogue.
Just like Christmas and Easter, St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of religious origin, of which the original meaning has been largely obscured over time and altered by rampant commercialization.
While the meaning of Christmas and Easter is not so completely hidden, the work and person of Patrick is largely unknown.
Let’s clear up some misconceptions. Firstly, Patrick is not really a Saint (that is, not canonized by Rome); he was not Irish (he was English); and the whole thing about ridding Ireland of snakes is most assuredly mere myth.
Patrick did go to Ireland as a Christian missionary. He strategically targeted those in power for conversion, which had a ripple effect throughout the entire population.
For up to 30 years, he traveled Ireland, promoting Christianity and setting up churches and monasteries. His impact was immense and profound.
It is believed that he died on March 17, hence marking the day that we commemorate his life of service and accomplishment—largely by celebrating the myth that surrounds him.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
I don’t know if you’re like me, but I have a favorite pen. And I am quite attached to her.
Although I have a couple dozen in my desk drawer, I only have one on my desk—my favorite—her. I know that you’re not supposed to have favorites, because it can really mess up the other pens and make them feel inferior. But the way I look at it, that’s okay, because they are!
My pen and I have been together for several years, now. I picked her up at a trade show booth. Her label reminds me of where she came from. As pens go, though, she’s a bit odd. Her barrel is not round as with most, but triangular. Perhaps it’s her uniqueness that draws me to her.
A while back, she ran out of ink. I did what I had to in order to save her—I performed a transplant. Soon she was as good as new.
Last Thursday, the unthinkable happened.
She disappeared. I held her as I lay down a book and the next thing I knew, she was gone. This had never happened before. As soon as I realized it, I immediately stopped work and searched in vain.
I retraced my steps and looked in every conceivable hiding place—two or three times. I kept thinking that when I found her, I would remember leaving her there. But that was not to be.
Eventually I had to accept that she was gone. I pulled a replacement out of the drawer, but it wasn’t the same; it wasn’t her. Each time I went to write, I was painfully reminded of my loss.
Then today, a surprise of surprises happened. Sitting at my desk, I reached for a pen—and it was her. She came back. I didn’t ask where she’d been or what she’d done.
I was just glad to see her again and accepted her back without question.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Next, I will work on completing summaries for the rest of the books in the Old Testament.
Thank you
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
The remaining books of the New Testament will be added within the next week or so.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
As I mentioned on Valentines Day, I bought my bride a printer to express my deep and abiding love. That’s quite romantic of me, but I can’t help it; that’s just the way I am. I actually hooked up the printer early—I had plenty else planned for V-Day itself.
My intent was to get up early Saturday morning and have a working printer before she ventured out of the bedroom.
How hard could it be to hook up a printer? Unbox it, connect the cables, turn it on, and boot the computer. Just “plug and play.” I’ve hooked up printers many times before—in a couple of minutes. Yet this effort took more than three hours. I was not a happy camper.
The install was anything but straight-forward. Twice I was prompted for the install disk, I had to download several updates, and then there were “dueling windows” to contend with. My quandary was which one to do first.
Was it more important to “reboot now,” click “OK to continue,” or allow the update file to continue downloading?
Then there was way too much time wasted on installing the ink cartridges. My unit’s insides simply did not match the picture. I pushed, prodded, and probed, but could not ascertain were to insert the messy little contraptions.
Eventually I determined that the carriage that holds the buggers was hidden under a panel on the far left of the unit, when it was supposed to be in plain sight on the far right. Never mind that the instructions and diagram failed to even hint at the possibility of this annoying anomaly.
However, way before the test sheet printed, my bride appeared. She was a bit dismayed, unsure of what she should do or say—all the while sensing that anything would be the wrong thing.
Frustrated and flummoxed, I was certainly not in the proper frame of mind to romantically convey my true love for her with words of eloquence or a clever printout of a red heart.
Once again, my efforts at romance failed—this time, stymied by an obstinate printer.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
News: A “Terms” Section Has Been Added to ABibleADay.com
As content is added to the ABibleADay.com site, some of it may contain words and terms that not familiar to everyone, especially those new to the Bible.
Therefore, a section of terms has been added. It’s a bit small right now, but it will grow, especially if you make suggestions for what you would like to see defined.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
A couple of weeks ago my wife took me out for my birthday. The actual date of the event had long passed, but that’s okay; that’s how we do things.
Precise timing is not important to us, as long as it is eventually celebrated. Sometimes we’re several months late, but if it’s within six, it’s all good. More than six months means we’re no longer late, but actually early for the next year.
Anyway, she took me to one of my favorite restaurants, bd’s Mongolian Barbeque. In fact, as far as restaurant chains go, it is my favorite. (At this point, it’s regional, so if it’s not in your area, why don’t you open one?)
At bd’s, you create your own recipe: select the items you want, in the quantity you want, and watch their grill masters turn it into a stunning stir-fry delight.
Aside from immensely enjoying a birthday treat, I also had a secondary agenda. You see, for Christmas, I was given a super duper deluxe gourmet wok. My mission was to take more careful notice of how things were done at bd’s, with the intent of doing my own stir-fry thing at home, in my work.
Well, tonight was the night. Although I fell short of duplicating the total bd experience (highly attentive customer service with a touch of attitude from their grill masters), I did create a meal that delighted my taste buds and filled my stomach with contented bliss.
I should have stopped with the first helping and the second one put me over the top. I am so full but still craving one more delicious bite.
Wait a minute. There are leftovers in the frig. Gotta go!
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
News: Books of the Bible Section Added to ABibleADay.com
New information is being added to ABibleADay.com on a regular basis.
Just added was a Books of the Bible section. In addition to listing all the books of the Bible, there are also links to brief overviews for some of the books.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
