Are things in our world getting worse? While politicians boldly declare that crime is on the rise, an FBI report says the opposite: “Not only has violent crime fallen 23% from 2002 to 2022, but also in the past year alone murders fell 6% and violent crime declined 2% overall.” (Source: Time) It can be difficultContinue reading “Are you struggling with fear? – New Year Psalm of Wisdom, Part 2”
Tag Archives: anxiety
Confidence in the middle of pain – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Part 5
This week we’ve studied the parallel structure of Psalm 30. We’ve found matching points here, here, and here, and now we are left with verse 6, for which there is no match. It is the center of the structure. Because it doesn’t have a match, that means it is David’s most important point. What does heContinue reading “Confidence in the middle of pain – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Part 5”
Prayer matters – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Part 3
As we learned in the previous post, when King David was in The Depths, his life, emotions and faith felt very dark. The reality of life in The Depths brings us to the next matching pair in Psalm 30. Look at verses 2-3. David remembers when he called to God for help. He remembers howContinue reading “Prayer matters – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Part 3”
How to pray when you’re down – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Part 2
The ancient Hebrews often uses parallel structures in their writing, and we see it throughout the Hebrew Bible, which we call the Old Testament. It seems that Psalm 30 was written with one of those structures. Here’s the way they work. The opening matches the closing. The second main point matches the second to lastContinue reading “How to pray when you’re down – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Part 2”
When pain is like a house guest that wears out their welcome – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Preview
The holiday season is in full swing, having started a few weeks ago with Thanksgiving and lasting until after New Year’s Day. During the holidays, many people will spend time with family. On Thanksgiving my family had lunch at my parents and dinner at my in-laws. Thankfully, they live only 5 minutes apart. Over theContinue reading “When pain is like a house guest that wears out their welcome – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Preview”
When life is bitter pill – Advent Psalms of Lament, Part 2
This week I welcome guest blogger, Jeff Byerly. Jeff is my pastoral colleague, friend, ThD classmate, and traveling partner! He and his wife Tasha have two daughters, a son-in-law and new grandbaby! As I mentioned in the previous post, we will turn our hearts toward lament in order to turn our heads upward toward God’sContinue reading “When life is bitter pill – Advent Psalms of Lament, Part 2”
How deeply God desires us to experience peace – Boots of Peace, Part 5
As we conclude this week’s blog series about the Boots of Peace in the Armor of God, consider what Paul writes about peace in Ephesians 2, verses 11-22: “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his fleshContinue reading “How deeply God desires us to experience peace – Boots of Peace, Part 5”
What is “home”? – John 14:1-14, Part 1
What comes to mind when you think of the word “home”? I think of the house where my parents have lived for 40 years, the home I most remember. I loved growing up there, and I still love visiting. After Michelle and I were married, we lived in 5 different homes in our first fourContinue reading “What is “home”? – John 14:1-14, Part 1″
The “Gate” scandals and the problem of peace – Fruit of the Spirit: Peace, Preview
You know that image of US President Richard Nixon stepping off the presidential helicopter flashing peace signs with both hands? It’s a classic moment in US history, as Nixon had recently been on a diplomacy trip to China, an extremely rare feat for presidents before and after. It was quite a successful trip, and uponContinue reading “The “Gate” scandals and the problem of peace – Fruit of the Spirit: Peace, Preview”
When “Just trust in the Lord” is easier said than done – Ezekiel 24, Part 1
Have you ever had one of those moments when you prayed, “Lord, what is going on with my life?” Have you ever had a moment when it seems like things are going off the rails, and you know the classic bible verse, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,” but you think, “Easier saidContinue reading “When “Just trust in the Lord” is easier said than done – Ezekiel 24, Part 1″
Engaging Scripture 