Author Archives: Cindy Skillman

World, Huh! (Good God, Ya’ll) — What is it Good for?

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Cindy Skillman

What’s good in the world? If we try to keep the law, are we good? If we try to live good lives according to our God-given instincts, are we good? No one manages either of these feats. Paul talks about … Continue reading →

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A Circumcised Heart

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Cindy Skillman

Circumcision was a BIG deal with Jews of Jesus’ time (and Paul’s of course). In my last passage from Romans Paul talked about the difference between knowing the law and keeping the law. In this subsequent passage, he talks about … Continue reading →

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Are You a Teacher of Babies?

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Cindy Skillman

I was going to say “babes,” as many translations have it, but that just sounded . . . well, wrong. You know? Romans 2:17-24 takes aim specifically at self-righteous Jews, but in our own era, it has application to anyone … Continue reading →

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Is God’s Love Different from Man’s?

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Cindy Skillman

I was reading this morning and came across something I just had to share. The book is “Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus” by Lois Tverberg. Here is the excerpt: Hesed: Long-Acting Love Hebrew has a word for lifelong … Continue reading →

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No Excuses

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Cindy Skillman

If the second half of Romans 1 is a helium balloon for the self-righteous, Romans 2 is a dart gun. Ouch! Here’s my paraphrase of my first section: Therefore you who judge others have no excuse, for you condemn yourself … Continue reading →

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The Nitty Gritty on Grace

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Cindy Skillman

Grace: that which gives joy and pleasure — gratifying to the senses — beautiful, lovely, delightful. Grace (charis in the Greek) means sweetness and loving kindness and all things favorable and merciful. Based on the word studies I’ve recently shared … Continue reading →

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The Cup of God’s Wrath

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Cindy Skillman

Romans 1 diagrams a downward progression into depravity. What does it mean? And is this really all about “those people?” Any scripture passage needs to be taken in context of the whole Bible, but at the very least we need … Continue reading →

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How to Right a Wrong

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Cindy Skillman

“If only I could have justice!” People have cried out for justice down through the ages, and how many of them have received it? If you’re wronged in some way, what do you want? What would make it right? My … Continue reading →

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The Justification of the Prodigals

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Cindy Skillman

Before continuing with Romans, I want to look deeper into the meaning of justice, since it plays such a prominent part in this epistle. But what does it really mean? In Romans it mainly makes its appearance in the form … Continue reading →

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I Am Wrong

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Cindy Skillman

The preacher, Joel Ziolkowsky, stood up and he said, “I am wrong.” Now if memorable sermons are rare, that sort of statement from a preacher, in the pulpit, is very nearly non-existent. No wonder I remember it! Continue reading →

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