I Peter, part 4
Posted by chris in chris ritter on 01. Dec, 2009 | No Comments
I Peter 1:13-19 Peter is beginning to move from his opening discourse, rich in theology and elevating the salvation of God in Christ, to getting into the “nitty-gritty” of the Christian life. Like other authors the Holy Spirit inspired to write Scripture, he will mix theology with practical implications, but here it’s more on the [...]
I Peter part 3
Posted by chris in chris ritter on 10. Nov, 2009 | No Comments
I Peter 1:10-12 We have here some of the most revealing words written about God’s plan for the ages. Peter masterfully sums up what God was doing through the prophets and prophecies, and who the prophets were serving in their ministry. Peter begins v. 10 with “concerning this salvation” – the salvation he has been [...]
I Peter part 2
Posted by chris in chris ritter on 10. Nov, 2009 | Comments Off
I Peter 1:6-9 We pick up with Peter’s flow of thought from v. 3-10. He tells his readers in v. 6, “in this you rejoice…” They rejoice in God’s mercy (v. 3) expressed through Jesus Christ and the living hope they have because Jesus is alive. In short, Peter is confident they are rejoicing in [...]
I Peter, part 1
Posted by chris in chris ritter on 03. Nov, 2009 | No Comments
I’ve been inconsistent at this whole blogging thing for the past few weeks. It’s not that I don’t have anything to write, but I guess I lack some motivation when every piece that I write is isolated. For some reason I feel like I need something to start and finish instead of just put random [...]
I Hate The Fall
Posted by chris in chris ritter on 20. Oct, 2009 | No Comments
I hate the fall. And no, I don’t mean the fall that we are entering into right now. I don’t hate the leaves changing colors and the air cooling down. I don’t hate the rain or the wind or any of that. In fact I very much love the fall season. I love the crisp [...]
Can Verses become “too familiar”?
Posted by chris in chris ritter on 13. Oct, 2009 | 1 Comment
I’ve been thinking lately about some of the most well known verses in the Bible, and wondering whether or not some of them become too familiar to us and therefore lose significance. Many verses could be mentioned, but the one that comes to mind is Proverbs 3:5-6. In case you don’t have it memorized (shame [...]
The Two Men of James 1:12-15
Posted by chris in chris ritter on 06. Oct, 2009 | No Comments
James 1:12-15: 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted [...]
Wednesday Review
Posted by chris in chris ritter on 25. Sep, 2009 | Comments Off
Lately I’ve been sending out a Wednesday review to recap things we talked about as a youth group, and maybe mention a couple of things I wish we would have gotten to but didn’t. If you’re interested in knowing some of what goes down on Wednesday nights, here ya go… We asked some difficult questions, [...]
Martha, Martha
Posted by chris in chris ritter on 24. Sep, 2009 | No Comments
I wrote the other day about the spiritual funk that I’ve been in for a little while now. Funny how just after I acknowledge I’m in a funk and ask God to change whatever needs changing in my heart, he brought me to Luke 10:38-42. It’s the story of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Jesus [...]
Money and Christianity
Posted by chris in chris ritter on 15. Sep, 2009 | 4 Comments
My wife and I have been taking part in a very interesting 13 week seminar by a man named Dave Ramsey. Dave is a well known author and speaker, and is a Christian man. The seminar is called “Financial Peace University” and is set up so that a group of people get together once a [...]