My wife recently purchased a new comforter for our bed. The floral print on the comforter is very nice, and the comforter stuffing is fluffy. It’s a great-looking comforter. It is not a warm comforter. We heat our home with a wood stove, which is located in our living room. We love our wood stove.Continue reading “David is cold, can’t get warm. What his attendants do to help him is a shocker. (Or is it?) – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 1”
Monthly Archives: January 2025
Famous last words – 1 Kings 1—2, Preview
We often use the phrase “famous last words” in the wrong context. For example, if your spouse is doing a home improvement project, they might say to you, “I am going to run over to the store, get what I need, and then the project should take a couple hours.” You’ve been down this roadContinue reading “Famous last words – 1 Kings 1—2, Preview”
What would it look like for you to sacrifice to God in a way that will demonstrate your trust in him? – 2 Samuel 24, Part 5
I had a spiritual direction appointment this week, and my spiritual director was asking about my upcoming sabbatical, which will be in August through October. He asked what I was going to do, and if I had a sabbatical theme. I had to admit to my spiritual director that I do not have a themeContinue reading “What would it look like for you to sacrifice to God in a way that will demonstrate your trust in him? – 2 Samuel 24, Part 5”
What a keyboard taught me about the nature of sacrifice – 2 Samuel 24, Part 4
My church has a history of renting space in our building to other churches. In late 2018, sadly, one of those rental churches dwindled in size, and they decided to disband as a church. The remaining members formed a house church, and they gave away their assets. They gave our congregation a large financial donationContinue reading “What a keyboard taught me about the nature of sacrifice – 2 Samuel 24, Part 4”
Does God feel emotions? – 2 Samuel 24, Part 3
Do you think of God as having emotions? If God is perfect, wouldn’t it follow that he doesn’t have emotions like humans? Can God feel feelings? Or is he more like a robot? Theologians and bible scholars have debated these questions for centuries. The answers are not easy to come by. Take a look atContinue reading “Does God feel emotions? – 2 Samuel 24, Part 3”
With God, success is not about numbers – 2 Samuel 24, Part 2
Have you ever been punished with a “pick your poison” method? You misbehaved and your parents give you a choice about which punishment you will receive. It feels awful, doesn’t it? You must not only wrestle with your guilt and any hurt your disobedience caused others, you now have to choose the consequences. You areContinue reading “With God, success is not about numbers – 2 Samuel 24, Part 2”
A census is…punishment? 2 Samuel 24, Part 1
We are nearing the end of David’s life. The final chapter in 2 Samuel, Chapter 24, is just so perfect for the last story in David’s life. It’s perfect because it is confusing and filled with turmoil, much of which is David’s fault, but then it concludes with a beautiful description of David’s heart. IContinue reading “A census is…punishment? 2 Samuel 24, Part 1”
What would you say “No” to, if Jesus asked you to do something? – 2 Samuel 24, Preview
Imagine Jesus shows up at the door of your house one evening, and though you are shocked, of course you let him in. You ask if he needs anything, such as a drink, food, a place to sit and relax or sleep, anything. He responds, “Actually, I do need something. I would like you toContinue reading “What would you say “No” to, if Jesus asked you to do something? – 2 Samuel 24, Preview”
The importance of taking a new risk for the mission of Jesus – 2 Samuel 23:8–39, Part 5
My wife and I each turned 50 this past year. That milestone birthday is just another day on the calendar, and it is a time for reflection on the past and hope for the future. In that sense, turning 50 was like a New Year’s Day. Each New Year’s Day, many people review the pastContinue reading “The importance of taking a new risk for the mission of Jesus – 2 Samuel 23:8–39, Part 5”
The fine line between confidence and overconfidence (and what that has to do with Michael Jordan and mountain lions) – 2 Samuel 23:8–39, Part 4
I was a teen in the early 1990s when Michael Jordan was leading the Chicago Bulls to their first of two three-peats as NBA champions. I watched Michael Jordan avidly, and on my home’s driveway where we had a hoop, I tried to mimic his moves. I played for my small private Christian school’s middleContinue reading “The fine line between confidence and overconfidence (and what that has to do with Michael Jordan and mountain lions) – 2 Samuel 23:8–39, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 