Author Archives: Bob Bjerkaas

Love Does Not Envy

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

There are two words in the language of the New Testament that can be translated by our English word “envy.” One is always used in the negative sense – it means to begrudge someone their success and want to take away what … Continue reading →

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Love is Kind

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

“Love,” Sinatra and others tell us, “is a many-splendored thing.”  I think this captures much of the Hallmark sense of what love is: love is made up of many splendid virtues and attitudes.  If you think back to the Valentine’s … Continue reading →

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Poetic Advice on Arguing Well

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

We live in fractious times.  There seems to be no end to the scornful and snarky memes, disrespectful dialogue, and ad hominem attacks that are thrown about in rants that concern everything from politics to… theology?  Yes, sadly, even followers … Continue reading →

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Chevelle vs. Fire Truck – Another Day of Ministry

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

I had completed my morning pastoral routines and had ten or fifteen minutes before a lunch appointment.  Have you ever been in a situation where you have a couple of minutes of time to redeem but don’t want to start … Continue reading →

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What Counts in Living for Christ?

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

This month as we watch our kids returning to school or are beginning classes ourselves, let’s do some divine arithmetic!  There are three passages in the New Testament in which the Apostle Paul tells us “what counts.”  These passages bear a … Continue reading →

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“Logic on Fire” – Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

“You must have light and heat, sermon plus preaching.  Light without heat  never affects anybody; heat without light is of no permanent value.  It may have a passing temporary effect but it does not really help your people and build … Continue reading →

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Love Is Patient

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

  “Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy…”  This description of love from 1 Corinthians is familiar to most of us.  Maybe too familiar!  Have you ever thought that it is odd that the most well known … Continue reading →

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“Know When to Walk Away…”

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

The Gambler in Kenny Rogers’ song offers sage advice when he turns to his fellow traveler on a train bound for nowhere and tells him that he needs to “know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when … Continue reading →

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Who Needs Preaching?

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

Recently I read something that gave me pause for thought.  The book was old, actually printed in 1877 – with a taped spine and crumbly-yellowed pages, and I wondered as I turned to the first chapter of Phillips Brooks’ Lectures on … Continue reading →

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Nevertheless…

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Bob Bjerkaas

Following Christ and seeking to be faithful to him in your family, your career, and in your neighborhood can be daunting.  Sometimes we feel that the challenges we face are simply too difficult to overcome.  Often we begin some great … Continue reading →

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