Have you ever been swayed by what other people think, even though you don’t really agree with them? Have you ever been influenced to act contrary to your beliefs because you feel pressure from others? Often we say that teenagers succumb to peer pressure, but the reality is that adults of all ages are justContinue reading “Peer pressure and our longings – First Sunday of Advent 2019, Part 2”
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Why did the US death rate jump sharply in recent years? – First Sunday of Advent 2019, Part 1
If you could say in one word what you want more of in life, what would that be? What this question gets at is longing. This Advent, we are talking about longing. Advent is a season of longing. Ancient Christians created the season of Advent as a four week long preparatory time for the greatContinue reading “Why did the US death rate jump sharply in recent years? – First Sunday of Advent 2019, Part 1”
Three practices to overcome fear – Characters: David & Goliath, Part 5
In this series of posts about the story of David and Goliath, we have seen the Israelite army running in fear from the intimidating giant, Goliath. To best understand the question I am going to ask next, I encourage you to go back and read at least the previous post, if not all four, staringContinue reading “Three practices to overcome fear – Characters: David & Goliath, Part 5”
Why this is not an underdog story – Characters: David & Goliath, Part 4
I’ve been saying all along in this series of posts looking at the story of David and Goliath that this is not an underdog story. I didn’t come up with that idea on my own. I’m indebted to the work of Malcolm Gladwell in his book David & Goliath. Gladwell notes that scholars who haveContinue reading “Why this is not an underdog story – Characters: David & Goliath, Part 4”
Is your view of life upside-down? – Characters: David & Goliath, Part 3
Have you ever been in a situation where you were convinced you were right, but ultimately found out you were wrong? It can be shocking when that happens. We tend to go about life trusting our intuition, our viewpoint, and when we are believing something we think is so obvious, only to discover that weContinue reading “Is your view of life upside-down? – Characters: David & Goliath, Part 3”
Distraction from the main thing – Characters: David & Goliath, Part 2
Have you ever had this happen: you’re in the office drafting an email about an rather tricky interpersonal relationship in your company, and you have a flash of brilliance. You’re about to solve the problem. As you’re typing your thoughts, the phone rings. You answer it, and the call lasts for a few minutes. That’sContinue reading “Distraction from the main thing – Characters: David & Goliath, Part 2”
Do you have crippling fear? – Characters: David & Goliath, Part 1
What seemingly impossible situations are you facing? What is causing you fear? What keeps you up at night? What gives you an upset stomach? Fear is a powerful force that affects so many of us. Fear of losing our health. Fear of losing control. Fear of poverty. Fear of death. In our Characters series, weContinue reading “Do you have crippling fear? – Characters: David & Goliath, Part 1”
A possible key to unlock healing in your broken life – Characters: Ruth, Part 5
In Part 4 of our study through the ancient Hebrew story of Ruth, we watched as Ruth makes a most unusual proposal to Boaz. If you are just jumping into the story here at the end, I urge you to start at the beginning, as the drama has been building. This Part 5 will beContinue reading “A possible key to unlock healing in your broken life – Characters: Ruth, Part 5”
A most unusual marriage proposal – Characters: Ruth, Part 4
Do you remember your marriage proposal? Or if you aren’t married or engaged, do you have a hope or dream for what your proposal will be like? In our culture proposals have become more and more elaborate. Today we learn about a very unusual one! The ancient Hebrew story of Ruth has been unfolding, movingContinue reading “A most unusual marriage proposal – Characters: Ruth, Part 4”
A healthy way to face bitterness and loss – Characters: Ruth, Part 3
Have you ever been bitter and angry about the pain that life has brought your way. If so, you’re not alone. So often we are dealt a horrible hand, and at no fault of our own, we are faced with loss, ruin, or sickness. In those moments, bitterness can take root. Maybe its not you.Continue reading “A healthy way to face bitterness and loss – Characters: Ruth, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 