A fall from grace. Maybe you’ve experienced it. Or maybe another’s fall has affected you. There have been a number of high profile such failures, and countless more lower profile examples that don’t get reported in the news. No matter the situation, they impact people deeply, leaving us wonder, “How did that happen?” Parents splitContinue reading “How the godly fall – Characters: Samson, Part 2”
Author Archives: joelkime
No matter how bad it is, there is hope – Characters: Samson, Part 1
What gifts has God given you? Sometimes we call them spiritual gifts. Or it could be our personal abilities. Our aptitudes. Things we are good at. Could be working with our hands. Thinking. Art. Communication. Leading. There are many such gifts. Have you ever wondered if you’re using those gifts the way God wants? OrContinue reading “No matter how bad it is, there is hope – Characters: Samson, Part 1”
How one family’s drama was healed – Characters: Joseph, Part 5
In this Characters installment, we have been following the family drama in the life of Joseph, one of the patriarchs of ancient Israel. His is a story of extremes. Joseph lost his mother in childhood, but was his father’s favorite. His father loved him, but his brothers hated him. He had dreams from God aboutContinue reading “How one family’s drama was healed – Characters: Joseph, Part 5”
How to respond to family drama – Characters: Joseph, Part 4
How do you respond to family drama? Roll your eyes? Frustration? Anger? Weeping? It is particularly difficult when it is the kind of family drama that has hurt you. When your family has betrayed you, the pain can go so deep. Have you ever experienced that? What should you do? How should you respond? InContinue reading “How to respond to family drama – Characters: Joseph, Part 4”
Finding God in our mess – Characters: Joseph, Part 3
Life can feel so messy. Have you ever been in one those the seasons of life where it seems like things keep going wrong? Just when you think you are getting past one hurdle, here comes another one. You jump one, then two, and you barely make it over the third, and you’re so tired,Continue reading “Finding God in our mess – Characters: Joseph, Part 3”
When God is nowhere to be found – Characters: Joseph, Part 2
Have you ever felt utterly alone and abandoned by your family, friends, and even by God? If so, you’re not alone. Maybe people hurt you. Maybe you made a bad choice. Maybe life turned out different from your hopes and dreams. There are many ways we can find ourselves in despair. Keep reading as ourContinue reading “When God is nowhere to be found – Characters: Joseph, Part 2”
Do you have family drama? Characters – Joseph, Part 1
Family drama. None of your families have drama, right? Yeah, mine neither. (I hope you don’t believe that.) Actually, family drama is the stuff of life. We all have it. Think about all the words we use to describe it. Some of you might remember the classic line from the sitcom Friends, “We were onContinue reading “Do you have family drama? Characters – Joseph, Part 1”
Be determined in God’s direction – Characters: Jacob, Part 5
I love the picture above. Having done a good bit of running myself, I am always amazed at people who keep at into their older years. My grandfather participated in the Senior Games into his 90s, winning speed walking events. That is the picture of determination. In this series of posts we’ve been following theContinue reading “Be determined in God’s direction – Characters: Jacob, Part 5”
Why we need to wrestle with God – Characters: Jacob, Part 4
In this series, we’ve been looking at a character in the Hebrew Bible, a guy named Jacob. In the previous post, we left Jacob about to cross over the border of his brother, Esau’s land. He had deceived his brother 20 years before, and when Esau found out, Esau threatened to kill Jacob. Jacob fledContinue reading “Why we need to wrestle with God – Characters: Jacob, Part 4”
God can still use you after you sin? Characters: Jacob, Part 3
Have you ever messed up and thought, I’ve ruined my life? Maybe it was a mistake a work. Maybe it was a terrible relationship choice. You might have been selfish or unkind with what you said to a family member or friend, and now things between you are cold. Are you wondering if there isContinue reading “God can still use you after you sin? Characters: Jacob, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 