This week we’ve been following the Teacher in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes try out seven roles or personalities, all in an attempt to find the meaning of life. It’s a kind of ancient personality test. So far the Teacher has introduced us to the Philosopher, the Student, the Party Animal and the Addict, butContinue reading “How work and wisdom fail to bring ultimate meaning to life – Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26, Part 3”
Monthly Archives: September 2020
Can the Student, the Party Animal, or the Addict find the meaning of life – Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26, Part 2
Are you searching for the meaning of life? In Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26, as we learned in the previous post, the Teacher tries out seven different roles, each one an attempt to find the meaning of life. So far, he has tried the Philosopher, and found it comes up empty. Now the Teacher takes on the roleContinue reading “Can the Student, the Party Animal, or the Addict find the meaning of life – Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26, Part 2”
How an ancient personality test can help us discover the meaning of life – Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26, Part 1
Ed Ames a provocative song in 1968 and it just might resonate with you today. Take a look: In case you didn’t catch it clearly, here is the chorus: If the soul is darkened by a fear it cannot nameIf the mind is baffled when the rules don’t fit the gameWho will answer?Who will answer?WhoContinue reading “How an ancient personality test can help us discover the meaning of life – Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26, Part 1”
How to stare death in the face and still have hope – Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, Part 5
Around ten years ago, I’d been pastor for a couple years, and we had a series of months where someone from our congregation died every month. In a couple of those months, two people died in the same month. A total of 8 people passed away in that stretch, and I did all the funeralsContinue reading “How to stare death in the face and still have hope – Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, Part 5”
What a Starlink train taught me about life – Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, Part 4
Do you feel weary? Tired? Like life is wearing your down? As we continue our study of Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, which is about how life is fleeting, read verses 8-9. In verse 8, the Teacher says life is “wearisome.” That word can be translated as “striving,” meaning that life is often a unending of process ofContinue reading “What a Starlink train taught me about life – Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, Part 4”
Can you remember your great-grandparents? – Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, Part 3
Let’s take a moment and face the truth that our lives are fleeting. In our study this week on the beginning of Ecclesiastes (starting here), a book of ancient wisdom, we learned that life is fleeting. The reality is that most of us, if not all of us, will not have our memories preserved veryContinue reading “Can you remember your great-grandparents? – Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, Part 3”
Your life matters – Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, Part 2
Have you ever wondered if you life matters? Have you wrestled with dark, sad thoughts, thinking that you are not important? If so, you’re not alone. Just about everyone has battled those kinds of thoughts at least some time in their lives. What can be confusing is that there is a book of the BibleContinue reading “Your life matters – Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 