Have you ever been caught doing the wrong thing, but just that quickly your mind is spinning a rationale to make yourself appear as thought you were doing the right thing? It’s human nature. We hate getting caught! In the previous post, we learned in 1st Samuel 13 that King Saul didn’t wait for theContinue reading “Why King Saul was wrong for sacrificing to God – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 2”
Tag Archives: 1st samuel
Can you have a defective heart and not know it? – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Preview
This past week I attended my denomination’s, the Evangelical Congregational (EC) Church’s, National Conference at Messiah University. At conference lots of people have asked about my granddaughter, Lily, who was born in January, and who has been on a four-month journey with a heart defect corrected through multiple open heart surgeries. Those conversations have oftenContinue reading “Can you have a defective heart and not know it? – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Preview”
Hope when you are feeling trapped – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 5
In 1st Samuel 11 & 12, we’ve seen numerous references to fear. Unhealthy, ungodly fear, as well as godly fear of the Lord. We Christians can learn much from this. On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus had his last supper with his disciples, and he said to them: “Do not let your heartsContinue reading “Hope when you are feeling trapped – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 5”
Be afraid…but don’t be? – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 4
In the conclusion to his retirement speech, the prophet Samuel reminds the people of Israel how they asked for a king, even though God is their king. Do they care? Are they teachable? Before they respond, Samuel reminds them of deeply important principles. Here’s what he says in 1st Samuel 12, verses 14-15, “If youContinue reading “Be afraid…but don’t be? – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 4”
Leadership transitions are often difficult – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 3
My daughter ran the 4×800 relay on her track team, so over the years I’ve witnessed many baton hand-offs like the one depicted above. The hand-off can be tricky. Every so often the hand-off doesn’t go well, as the baton is fumbled or dropped. Transitions in leadership are likewise complex. Will the outgoing leader prepareContinue reading “Leadership transitions are often difficult – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 3”
How the Spirit of God transforms us – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 2
The Ammonites have laid siege to the Israelite town of Jabesh Gilead, threatening to gouge out the right eyes of all the men in the town. Desperate, the people of Jabesh send messengers around Israel begging for help from their countrymen. How will Israel respond to this threat? How will Israel’s new king respond toContinue reading “How the Spirit of God transforms us – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 2”
When life boxes you in – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 1
I recently listened to a podcast about ocean temperatures. Ocean temperatures are rising. They have been rising for many years. But in 2023, they rose faster than normal. Rising ocean temperatures are concerning. Fast rising ocean temperatures are really concerning. This is not a post about the environment, though sometime I should write about caringContinue reading “When life boxes you in – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 1”
The state of fear in America – 1st Samuel 11-12, Preview
What keeps you up at night? Ever experience the syndrome where you cannot turn your mind off because you’re thinking about stuff? I fall asleep rather easily, but if I wake up in the middle of night, usually to use the restroom, anxious thoughts can creep in my mind, and it can be so difficultContinue reading “The state of fear in America – 1st Samuel 11-12, Preview”
Evaluating placing our hopes in a political candidate – 1st Samuel 8-10, Part 3
In the previous post, we learned that after the Israelite elders ask Samuel to give them a king, God warns them that while having a king might sound effective or powerful like the nations around them, it could easily backfire. That warning didn’t make a dent in the elders’ desire for a king. In 1stContinue reading “Evaluating placing our hopes in a political candidate – 1st Samuel 8-10, Part 3”
How do you react when you are hurt by someone? – 1st Samuel 8-10, Part 2
What comes out of you when you are hurting? When someone treats you poorly or says something unkind to you, how do you react? The elders of Israel have just come to Samuel, asking for a king. See the previous post for all the details. What will Samuel say? Samuel’s response is in verse 6,Continue reading “How do you react when you are hurt by someone? – 1st Samuel 8-10, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 