I am presently in the deep South where I grew up. It is almost obligatory here to peruse a recent edition of Southern Living. On the coffee table was an issue of Southern Living featuring the beautiful Hydrangea, a pink and blue plant that has fascinated me since I first saw it growing alongside the... Continue Reading →
Strange Things
Strange things are happening at Liberty University (Falwell's Liberty). President Ergun Caner is being asked some rather pointed and uncomfortable questions by James White and others concerning his past. In a bizarre case, it seems that Caner's past is not as bad as he has been reporting it. I've never been much of a fan... Continue Reading →
Light of the World
Exodus 27:20 gives instructions through Moses to the people of God on how to keep a lamp burning perpetually. The solution is simple. All of Israel must bring to the priests pure beaten olive oil. The oil will keep the lamp burning. As we see these instructions given to the people of God, we realize... Continue Reading →
Brown Panders
It’s pretty bad when a basketball team gets involved. The situation out there is bleak. We can’t seem to agree on anything anymore. Now, even the NBA is taking a stand on the immigration issue, an issue that appears to be at the very heart of what it means to be an American. The NBA’s... Continue Reading →
Christian Persecution
There is an occasion of persecution against Christians prevalent in the news right now in the U. K. The case of Dale McAlpine in Great Britain is getting a lot of press (as it should). The case is clearly one of persecution. Mr. McAlpine was neither abusive nor offensive in his actions. The offense clearly... Continue Reading →
Don’t Just Do Something, Stand There!
I know the title gets the phrase backward, but it is likely more true that the church would be better off if we did less and stood more. The church operates like a rock in a whitewater stream. We stand against the current and redirect its course. Of course, our hope is to rescue those... Continue Reading →
Exodus 19 and 20
Reading Exodus 19 and 20, I am struck by just how out of touch God is with modern evangelicals. We have methods for growth. He has strict limits which prevent folks from approaching Him. We have sensitivity toward all seekers. He was set apart in thick darkness. We have open access where everybody hears a... Continue Reading →
Our Father
"Our Father" --these are the first two words of one of the most beloved passages of Scripture, the Lord's Prayer. My guess is we often recite the "Our Father" without pausing long enough to consider what we are saying. Think about these two words. Our Father. Who is the "Our" being spoken of? When... Continue Reading →
Bonhoeffer Not a Martyr
I got into a little back and forth yesterday over at Justin Taylor's blog concerning Dietrich Bonhoeffer. While Bonhoeffer was laudable in some respects, he should not be afforded the title martyr for the simple reason that he was not persecuted as a Christian. His suffering occurred as a result of his political actions against... Continue Reading →
Living Up to My Name
The website (like my email) refers to me as "Doc" Cochran. The reason I picked this name is that I have known for some time that the Lord was calling me to further study, including study to the point of earning the PhD. I believe I have now accomplished that task. I must only complete... Continue Reading →
Honor Explaining the Fear
I thought I would offer a brief biography of the men who served as my supervisory committee for the Ph.D. I post this information as a way of honoring these men and explaining why I was so afraid of them! I hold them in very high esteem, and I am still having trouble believing they... Continue Reading →
Sugar Bowl or Fishing
A couple of surprise trips stand out in my memories of childhood. On one occasion, I came home from school on an ordinary day, expecting nothing. My plan was to eat some chicken noodle soup with crackers while watching Popeye cartoons. Such was my industrious youth. Unannounced, my dad said, "Come on, get your stuff... Continue Reading →
Morocco
I just read this news article from Morocco (a little behind on my news stories). It prompted me to send a letter to the officials at the bottom of the news article. You may want to do the same.
Avail Much
I remember the King James version of James 5:16, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Though some of the language is outdated, surely the thought is as fresh and powerful as ever. We understand what this means. It means that we can and should pray much. And, we should pray for... Continue Reading →
Christian Fighting
This sounds crazy, but Christians ought to engage each other and do battle for the truth. We are charged in Jude to "contend" for the faith. I have often told people we ought to have fights over doctrine and truth; otherwise, we will have fights over things that don't matter. Now, I read this blog... Continue Reading →
Gregory C. Cochran 