A Clay Jar

Encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thess. 2:12 NIV)

About A Clay Jar

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." - 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 NIV

I am a clay jar, a fragile, fallible follower of Jesus. And this blog is a reflection of who I am and what God is doing in me. My hope and prayer are that God will use this site to his glory and that it will be a helpful resource to the body of Christ. A Clay Jar focuses primarily on theology, the study of God, and all that he is doing in his creation. I do not pretend to have all of the answers to life’s big questions or even most of the little ones. And there is no guarantee that the responses I do have are correct. But I love the opportunity to share the fruit of my reflections on the Bible and life with you. And I hope you will be willing to politely correct me when you perceive that I am wrong.

Who Am I

Theologically, I affirm the Nicene Creed and all other early church creeds. I also hold to the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation. And I am conservative, an evangelical, and a Nazarene. You can get a more in-depth description of my beliefs by reading my Statement of Faith and its associated links.

I have been a follower of Jesus for 53 years. Married for 41 years with two grown children and four grandchildren. I am actively involved in a local church. Retired and enjoy backpacking, gardening, and, when my body will tolerate it, running. And I also enjoy Bible study, teaching the Bible, friendly theological discussions, and playing with my grandchildren.

Please feel free to leave any comments about the site, suggestions for improving it, or questions/topics you would like to see addressed.

If you have questions about becoming a follower of Jesus, please look at the page What Must I Do To Be Saved. Or leave a comment below.

34 thoughts on “About”

  1. Ed, can I contact you via phone? I promise to limit it to a single call of 5 minutes or less, hah! but I have a question about soteriology for you.

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  2. Dear Saints of the Most High God, Special Christian Greetings to you in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who is soon to come. First of all I want to thank you for your website which really Contains the accurate truth of the Bible nothing but the whole truth. Continue being faithful to Him who called you and sent you for many be called but very few are chosen who are blessed like you. Continue the tremendous work you are doing by Proclaiming the Everlasting Gospel which is needed in these Last days of the Earth’s History and very soon you will be rewarded. . . . Pass my warm Christian greetings to your beloved family and the entire Members of your Ministry.
    with lots of Christian Love

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  3. Dearest Ed,
    I needed some education on the Mercy Seat. Your arrival is perfect on just that.
    Thank you for being one of God’s own.
    I went to visit the Ark in Kentucky and was brought to my knees by something the Holy Spirit showed me in the stone that was rolled away on the tomb. It was an artist rendering but was brought to light the vision of a Mercy Seat pictured in the stone.
    The Holy Spirit confided that.
    My best , Katherine

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      • Ed, it states in your material that the Mercy Seat is as large and wide as the Ark itself? Did I misunderstand?
        I’ve been a believer for over 30 years.
        God has shown me many things to help others with questions.
        I asked you about this subject because I felt you would have understood what I needed? Maybe I was unclear?

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        • Exodus 25:10-22 give the dimensions for the Ark and the Atonement Cover, AKA Mercy Seat. They have the same length and width. The Atonement Cover served as a lid for the Ark.

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  4. hi, I was feeling discouraged over the last 2 days due to an incident at work, where I was unfairly chided. I came across your short but encouraging article on Acts 14:22 where I was both encouraged and reminded to adjust my attitude to life. Thank you and may you continue on in this good work.

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  5. Good evening Sir, I really enjoyed your teaching, though this is my first time doing it. I must really comment you for doing a wonderful job for the kingdom.

    my request: I am a masters students in theology and I will like to learn from you as my teacher. thanks.

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    • I am glad that you find my articles useful to you. You are welcome to explore. And I will try to answer any questions that you have.

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  6. Thank you for your humble, reverent approach to presenting the Word of God to us. The power of Christ in you and His Word doing a work in you is evident. Thank you for your faithfulness to His call.

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  7. ANOINTING WOMEN AS PRIESTS – BIBLICAL? OUR CHURCH IS HEADING TOWARDS THAT AND I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT STOOD AGAINST IT. THOUGH I RAISED MY VOICE AGAINST IT ONCE I AM SILENT NOW AS SOMEONE IN MY CHURCH TOLD ME TO BE A BRIDGE MAKER. AM I A BRIDGE DESTROYER? I AM AWAITING YOUR SINCERE COMMENTS ON THIS.

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    • The ordination of women is a charged topic today. I come from a generation that would have considered it sacrilegious and heretical. Today, it is becoming much more acceptable. While I am uncomfortable with it, the church we have recently joined does ordain women. And one of our pastors is a woman. It is clear that Paul was not in favor of the practice. But was his objection based on cultural constraints or timeless principles? Arguments are made for both sides. Clearly, there was a cultural concern when Paul wrote and no longer exists, at least in the West. But was that his only reason for writing what he did? I do not have a clear answer to that. While I am uncomfortable with the practice, I do not consider it heretical, and have chosen to focus on things that I consider to be more important. Helping believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.

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      • I am so glad to read this!
        I have often prayed about this and what I got was; God needs Warriors! If He made an Ass to speak to the profit? A woman is stepping up because a man declined the position?
        The Word will go forth. He is God. He created us all.

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      • Hi Ed,

        Many a missionary was a “female lead pastor.” And probably supported by denominations that didn’t approve of seeing it that way.

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  8. Hi Ed
    I am enjoying your Clay Jar posts, and appreciate your simple but at the same time profound comments on Scripture.
    This next question is a personal one, and will probably give you a good laugh, but I will ask it anyway.
    Many years ago I had an American penfriend called Jeanne Jarrett, who had a twin sister Joyce, and a younger brother Ed. My perhaps silly question, considering the number of people in the USA, is, is it possible that you are from that family?
    If yes, what an amazing coincidence, if not, I have been blessed by your ministry.
    Thanks for reading.
    Regards, Margaret

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    • Thanks for your kind and encouraging words Margaret.

      No, I am not that Ed and don’t know of him. But it is always possible that there is some connection if you looked far enough back.

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  9. Hope you can help me. My wife passed away 128 days ago just prior to Christmas. I was reading one of your articles on christianity.com where you mentioned: “And I believe that when God answers prayer, that a miracle has occurred.” What about those of us, Christians, even Catholic, that pray, attend church services, follow the commandments and try not to sin in the hope of making it to heave, especially in my case to see and be with my wife again, but have never received an answer to our prayers, pleading, asking for help. Is there really anyone out there listening? Or, have I sinned throughout my life so grievously that he cannot hear my prayers or, may worse, refuses to answer?

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    • Praying, attending church services, and attempting to live moral lives is good. But that does not make a person a Christian. Confessing your sin, repenting, and turning to Jesus as Lord of your life is what God wants of us. And it is to that person that the promise of answered prayer is made. I don’t know you at all. Nor do I know your spiritual condition. But that is the most important thing you can possibly do in your life. Once you have made Jesus Lord of your life, then you can confidently come to him in prayer.

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      • Christianity gives a completely different conception of the world and reality to that of society in general. I hope your studies on Genesis cover this, Ed. Most communication by churches skips over this, perhaps unwittingly, because they’ve completely absorbed it.
        The ‘cultural’ Christian probably sees their religion as something that occurs within the given status of the cosmos and their world. A ‘plug-on’ for their normal life. Like icing on a cake.
        Christian faith is not thus. Its a different cake. Or better, Its a whole different kitchen. It starts with the cosmos as the result of creation by the will and act of the creator. Christian faith returns us to fellowship with the creator. Nothing else matters.

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        • Yes, all too often Christianity is thought to be just another aspect to who a person is. One more identifying label. But authentic Christianity is a way of life that involves all that we are.

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  10. This is Salvation plan. Many preachers and teachers don’t know salvation plan. Thank you,for your great Wisdom and knowledge you have gained.

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  11. Realized that you’re a sinner -Rom.3:23
    Realized that there’s punishment for SIN -Rom.6:23a
    Realized that there’s nothing we can do to save ourselves -Eph.2:8-9
    Realized that Jesus is the only one who died for our sins-Rom.5:8
    Faith in Jesus Christ alone saves all souls-1Cor.15:1-4
    Assurance of salvation -John 5:24

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