Have you experienced tragedy and loss in your life? How have you responded to it? It’s not easy to respond well to the difficult situations in life. As we continue the story of Ruth, we will see an example of an amazing response to tragedy, a response we would do well to follow. In ourContinue reading “An amazing response to tragedy – Characters: Ruth, Part 2”
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Do you dread holiday family gatherings? – Characters: Ruth, Part 1
I recently heard a news report about a family fighting their home owners association because the family put up Christmas decorations on November 1st, and the home owners association said it was too early. I don’t know if there is a right or wrong time to put up holiday decorations. Our local Lowes was sellingContinue reading “Do you dread holiday family gatherings? – Characters: Ruth, Part 1”
How to recover when you’ve squandered your potential – Characters: Samson, Part 5
Samson is an illustration of a man with unbelievable potential for good, yet who allows himself to be degraded by his lusts and revenge. There is such a lack of desire in his life to follow God, to keep his Nazarite vow, which could have and should have guided him to lead Israel back toContinue reading “How to recover when you’ve squandered your potential – Characters: Samson, Part 5”
When God leaves you (and what to do about it) – Characters: Samson, Part 4
How close do you feel to God? Do you know if he is a part of your life? Is it possible that he has left you? Today we read that God leaves Samson. Yes, you read that right. God leaves Samson. Is that wrong of God? Is God allowed to do that, based on theContinue reading “When God leaves you (and what to do about it) – Characters: Samson, Part 4”
Anger, Revenge and War – Characters: Samson, Part 3
Anger can lead to awful revenge. Revenge can escalate to retribution. Warring parties can strike at each other, over and over. We see this in conflicts between nations and ethnicities. Political parties unwilling to see one another in any way except negatively. Husbands and wives that fall apart in nasty divorces. Friendships taking sides. ChurchesContinue reading “Anger, Revenge and War – Characters: Samson, Part 3”
How the godly fall – Characters: Samson, Part 2
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”
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”
Engaging Scripture 