(For recent posts, click here)
Welcome to my blog. If you’ve read my writing before, you may be familiar with its old home (which i also have a link to if you click the button in the top right corner of this blog.) I decided that i wanted a blog with which i could do more and potentially reach more people. The posts will be the same caliber of Biblical exposition and honest reflection, because why change a good thing, even if it limits readership?
But maybe you’re not familiar with my writing. Here’s what you need to know: My name is Joshua Wingerd, and i am 29 years old. I became a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ when i was 18 while at a summer camp. I love writing, and i am currently working on sermons, technical essays, bible study blog posts, and several novels. I graduated from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO in December of 2015 with a BA in Biblical Studies, and i moved back to Southern California in May of 2017. I am currently pursuing an M.Div. at Gateway Seminary in Los Angeles, CA. My wife and i married on November 5, 2020, and we are presently praying persistently for God to call me to a local church–anywhere in the United States–for full-time pastoral ministry. Your prayers are appreciated as well.
You may have noticed that i don’t capitalize the letter “i” if it’s not at the beginning of a sentence. I do it on purpose if it is not auto-corrected by a word-processor, and if it is not for a publisher or professor. Here’s my reason: English is different from the Biblical languages (Greek and Hebrew) in that it capitalizes the word “i.” As English writers we have gotten away from capitalizing pronouns that refer to “God”–the Lord of the Universe–but we’d better make absolutely sure we capitalize a one-letter word that refers to us; it’s pride–plain and simple. I’ll respect the “rules of the English language” when it comes to public writing, but my blog is private writing for the public’s benefit, so oftentimes “i” will be left lowercase. Rant over.
But with all that said, here’s the goal of this blog, from the words of two passages of Scripture (unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations on this site are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission):
1 John 4:15-17 (emphasis added)
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God—God remains in him and he in God. And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, for we are as He is in this world.Mark 12:29-31 (emphasis added)
“This is the most important,” Jesus answered: “Listen, Israel! The Lordour God, the Lordis One. Lovethe Lord your Godwith all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind,and with all your strength. The second is: Love your neighboras yourself. There is no other command greater than these.”
On my original blog i spent three posts dissecting the meaning of these passages, primarily 1 John 4:15-17, from which “live in Love; find your true reward (liLfytr)” comes. The three parts can be accessed here: part 1, part 2, part 3.
In summary, as believers we are called to be the most loving people in existence. Love is more than a thing we say when we are happy, but rather a way of life, even when we are not happy. God is Love. Jesus is Love. Jesus was not happy when He was on the cross, dying the death we all deserved so we could live with Him forever, but that was most definitely the greatest demonstration of love that the world will ever see. In the same way, those who follow Him are called to be like Him in this world: loving. We must give of ourselves even when it hurts. This is what it means to live in Love. And, as 1 John 4:17 shows, this living will lead to confidence in the day of judgment–the truest reward.
So that’s the goal of this blog. How can we better understand God’s love, and how can we better put love into practice, both toward God and fellow humans?
I would be honored if you’d join me in this journey.
Soli Deo Gloria
Solus Christus
Sola Scriptura
Sola Gratia
Sola Fide
Latest Posts:
- “Why so much Bible?”
If the theme of this blog is love, what’s up with all the Bible exposition? - “What’s Your Blog About?”
This blog seeks to be a place to foster the knowledge of–and application of–biblical love. . . . 1 John 3:16-18. - Priorities for Progress
2020 is over, but i fear we aren’t yet out of the woods; as such, i must continue to focus on Jesus and follow Him. - The Promised Sacrifice (Advent 2020, #4)
Jesus was born so He could one day die. . . . Isaiah 52:13-53:12. - An Unexpected Christmas Reflection
What does our modern celebration of Christmas and the first Jewish Purim celebration have in common? . . . Esther 9:1-2, 16-22. - The Promised Restoration (Advent 2020, #3)
When Jesus came the first time, He brought the first phase of worldwide restoration, that those “in Him” continue until He returns and ushers in final restoration. . . . Isaiah 11:1-10. - A Challenge in Light of the Election Results
How should Christians respond in light of the election results? . . . Isaiah 22:8-14. - The Promised Ruler (Advent 2020, #2)
Jesus is the light we need in any dark time. . . . Isaiah 8:18-9:7. - Woe to the World
John continues His letter by warning people of the terrors of God’s coming wrath in what might be the most relevant passage of Scripture ever. . . . Revelation 8:13. - The Promised Child (Advent 2020, #1)
At Christmas, we celebrate a Person–and He’s not Santa Claus. . . . Isaiah 7:1-16. - Plans for Blog for Remainder of 2020
My plans for the blog as 2020 comes to an end. - A “Prophetic” Take on 2020
My new album, 2020 Vision, is my attempt to exercise my spiritual gifts for the edification of the universal church. . . . 1 Chronicles 25:1.
