See if you can figure out the meaning of this modern parable: A missionary comes upon a Samoan, who is lying around on the beach. MISSIONARY: Look at you! You’re just wasting your life away lying around like that! SAMOAN: Why? What do you think I should be doing? MISSIONARY: Well, there are plenty ofContinue reading “Can you figure out this modern parable? – 1 Samuel 18 & 19, Preview”
Monthly Archives: June 2024
Three practices to overcome fear – 1st Samuel 17, Part 5
In 2018 I blogged a series titled “Characters” where I featured a number of famous Bible stories. One of those was David & Goliath from 1st Samuel chapter 17. Now in 2024, I am blogging through 1st and 2nd Samuel, and we’ve reached chapter 17. This week, I’m reblogging the “Characters” posts about David &Continue reading “Three practices to overcome fear – 1st Samuel 17, Part 5”
Why David & Goliath is not an underdog story – 1st Samuel 17, Part 4
In 2018 I blogged a series titled “Characters” where I featured a number of famous Bible stories. One of those was David & Goliath from 1st Samuel chapter 17. Now in 2024, I am blogging through 1st and 2nd Samuel, and we’ve reached chapter 17. This week, I’m reblogging the “Characters” posts about David &Continue reading “Why David & Goliath is not an underdog story – 1st Samuel 17, Part 4”
Is your view of life upside-down? – 1st Samuel 17, Part 3
Photo by Trevin Rudy on Unsplash In 2018 I blogged a series titled “Characters” where I featured a number of famous Bible stories. One of those was David & Goliath from 1st Samuel chapter 17. Now in 2024, I am blogging through 1st and 2nd Samuel, and we’ve reached chapter 17. This week, I’m rebloggingContinue reading “Is your view of life upside-down? – 1st Samuel 17, Part 3”
Distraction from the main thing – 1st Samuel 17, Part 2
In 2018 I blogged a series titled “Characters” where I featured a number of famous Bible stories. One of those was David & Goliath from 1st Samuel chapter 17. Now in 2024, I am blogging through 1st and 2nd Samuel, and we’ve reached chapter 17. This week, I’ll reblog the “Characters” posts about David &Continue reading “Distraction from the main thing – 1st Samuel 17, Part 2”
Do you have crippling fear? – 1st Samuel 17, Part 1
In 2018 I blogged a series titled “Characters” where I featured a number of famous Bible stories. One of those was David & Goliath from 1st Samuel chapter 17. Now in 2024, I am blogging through 1st and 2nd Samuel, and we’ve reached chapter 17. This week, I’ll reblog the “Characters” posts about David &Continue reading “Do you have crippling fear? – 1st Samuel 17, Part 1”
When our fears come out to haunt us – 1st Samuel 17, Preview
Perhaps you’re like me and you have strange dreams while you’re sleeping. I find that my most bizarre dreams happen in the early morning, just before I wake up. This past week while on vacation, I had one of those early morning dreams, and in the dream Faith Church had one of those old-style marqueeContinue reading “When our fears come out to haunt us – 1st Samuel 17, Preview”
Seeing the heart like God sees it – 1st Samuel 16, Part 5
Is it possible for humans to see the heart like God sees it? We can open up our bodies and view the physical human heart, repair it, and even replace it with a different heart, even an artificial heart. But what about the metaphorical heart? Our motivation, will, desires, emotions, fears, beliefs? God knows allContinue reading “Seeing the heart like God sees it – 1st Samuel 16, Part 5”
The musical therapist who treated spiritual oppression – 1st Samuel 16, Part 4
Does God control evil spirits and sends them to torment people? In the previous post which mentioned 1 Samuel 16 verse 14, we learned that “Saul had an evil spirit from the Lord that tormented him.” That’s not how I think about God! Does God send demons to do his bidding? That’s what Satan isContinue reading “The musical therapist who treated spiritual oppression – 1st Samuel 16, Part 4”
Why God picked David to be king – 1st Samuel 16, Part 3
In the previous post about 1st Samuel chapter 16, we watched as the prophet Samuel visits the family of Jesse in the town of Bethlehem. Samuel is there on a secret prophetic mission from God to anoint a new king over Israel. One by one, Samuel views Jesse’s seven oldest sons, and God chooses noneContinue reading “Why God picked David to be king – 1st Samuel 16, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 