Randall Johnson

Sealed and Guaranteed – Ephesians 1:13,14

University College London has a fascinating study of the Assyrian king’s seal and its use throughout the empire: “The motif of the Assyrian royal stamp seal, showing the king fighting a lion,

Redemption and Inheritance – Ephesians 1:7-12

A colleague was telling me how one day when she was having a bad time of things she snapped at her 9 year old daughter and later had to come back to her and tell her she was sorry, that she was having

Chosen to Be Holy Children – Ephesians 1:3-6

In a book blurb I recently read: “Progress in genetic and reproductive technology now offers us the possibility of choosing what kinds of children we do and don’t have. Should we welcome this

An Apostle’s Take on the Church – Ephesians 1:1,2

Have you ever wished you could speak to your church about how it presents itself as a whole to the world? Perhaps you were concerned that your church doesn’t seem very loving. Perhaps you feel your

Restoration – Job 42:7-17

HGTV (Home and Garden Television) has had great success with shows about home restorations. Their latest, Home Town, follows the restoration work of Erin and Ben Napier who live and work in Laurel, Mississippi.

The Great Vision – Job 42:1-6

King David was so excited to be bringing the ark of the covenant up to Jerusalem, the city God had given into his hands and selected as the resting place for the Tabernacle. But David got the surprise

Contend With the Almighty – Job 40&41

I was watching American Idol and a contestant came on with quite an attitude of superiority. It was evident even in his walk in to perform for the judges. Lionel Richie told him at the end, after what

God’s Inscrutable Ways – Job 39

It happened first in the garden of Eden. Humans decided they knew better than God and could make it as their own gods, determining good and evil. Paul corrects our foolishness, saying, “Oh, the depth

Under Pressure – Job 38

In 2016 the United Nations tried a new format for selecting the next Secretary-General of the UN. They openly interviewed the candidates before the whole counsel. Can you imagine the pressure? How would

A Young Man’s Perspective – Job 32-37

I don’t know what to do. What follows the three rounds of interaction between Job and his three friends is a heretofore unintroduced character named Elihu who spends six chapters throwing in his

I’m Innocent – Job 31

The Washington Post reports: “The top civilian official in the U.S. Army said the service isn’t investigating Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, days after President Trump told reporters that the military

Good Old Days – Job 29&30

A.J. Hinch was one of the most successful managers of the Houston Astros baseball team but he was fired because he allowed a system of sign stealing (determining what the opposing pitcher was going to

Hidden Wisdom – Job 28

Could Job have been a preacher? Here, in the midst of his pain, hurting from the assaults of his friends, and slapping back at them, warning them of God’s judgment for accusing him of sin and denying

Slap in the Face 3 and Slap Back – Job 25-27

Recently Pope Frances showed frustration with a woman in the crowd of greeters who snatched at his hand as he passed and would not let go. He slapped her hand. Bildad has made now a third slap to Job’s

Where Is God? – Job 23&24

There is a fascinating remark at the end of Genesis 4: “At that time people began to call upon the name of Yahweh.” Early in the chapter we see God meeting with Cain and challenging him about

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