Saul, through a priest, has beseeched the Lord for his blessing on attacking the fleeing Philistines. God, however, is not answering. How will Saul respond to God’s silence? Will he be impatient again, unable to wait on the Lord? Actually, no. We read in 1st Samuel 14, verse 38, Saul believes that God’s silence isContinue reading “How to have a heart like God’s heart – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 5”
Monthly Archives: May 2024
When (and why) God turned two men into real superheroes – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 4
In my family, I would venture a guess that Batman is the favorite superhero. We’ve watched loads of Batman films and TV shows, and played Batman video games. One of Batman’s signature abilities is a hand-to-hand fighting technique and speed that allows him to fight, successfully, large groups of assailants. Did you know that inContinue reading “When (and why) God turned two men into real superheroes – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 4”
A person with a heart after God’s heart is willing to step out of their comfort zone – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 3
The Philistines have Israel outmanned and outgunned. In the previous two posts here and here, we read in 1st Samuel 13 that a battle is brewing and it is shaping up to be a slaughter. That brings us to 1st Samuel chapter 14. We read in verse 1, “One day Jonathan son of Saul saidContinue reading “A person with a heart after God’s heart is willing to step out of their comfort zone – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 3”
Why King Saul was wrong for sacrificing to God – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 2
Have you ever been caught doing the wrong thing, but just that quickly your mind is spinning a rationale to make yourself appear as thought you were doing the right thing? It’s human nature. We hate getting caught! In the previous post, we learned in 1st Samuel 13 that King Saul didn’t wait for theContinue reading “Why King Saul was wrong for sacrificing to God – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 2”
It’s healthy “heart” week on the blog – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 1
In my family over the past few months, we’ve talked a lot about the heart. Our granddaughter has had two open heart surgeries. Here in Lancaster we have The Heart Group. The Heart Group website lists 55 practitioners who are all there to evaluate your heart. My guess is that you have a medical practiceContinue reading “It’s healthy “heart” week on the blog – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 1″
Can you have a defective heart and not know it? – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Preview
This past week I attended my denomination’s, the Evangelical Congregational (EC) Church’s, National Conference at Messiah University. At conference lots of people have asked about my granddaughter, Lily, who was born in January, and who has been on a four-month journey with a heart defect corrected through multiple open heart surgeries. Those conversations have oftenContinue reading “Can you have a defective heart and not know it? – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Preview”
Hope when you are feeling trapped – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 5
In 1st Samuel 11 & 12, we’ve seen numerous references to fear. Unhealthy, ungodly fear, as well as godly fear of the Lord. We Christians can learn much from this. On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus had his last supper with his disciples, and he said to them: “Do not let your heartsContinue reading “Hope when you are feeling trapped – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 5”
Be afraid…but don’t be? – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 4
In the conclusion to his retirement speech, the prophet Samuel reminds the people of Israel how they asked for a king, even though God is their king. Do they care? Are they teachable? Before they respond, Samuel reminds them of deeply important principles. Here’s what he says in 1st Samuel 12, verses 14-15, “If youContinue reading “Be afraid…but don’t be? – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 4”
Leadership transitions are often difficult – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 3
My daughter ran the 4×800 relay on her track team, so over the years I’ve witnessed many baton hand-offs like the one depicted above. The hand-off can be tricky. Every so often the hand-off doesn’t go well, as the baton is fumbled or dropped. Transitions in leadership are likewise complex. Will the outgoing leader prepareContinue reading “Leadership transitions are often difficult – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 3”
How the Spirit of God transforms us – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 2
The Ammonites have laid siege to the Israelite town of Jabesh Gilead, threatening to gouge out the right eyes of all the men in the town. Desperate, the people of Jabesh send messengers around Israel begging for help from their countrymen. How will Israel respond to this threat? How will Israel’s new king respond toContinue reading “How the Spirit of God transforms us – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 