Would your friends say you are a good friend? What does it take to be a good friend? In the first verses of 2 Samuel chapter 20, just as David’s loyal army has defeated his rebellious son Absalom’s army, though peace is established, soldiers from both armies get into a shouting match about who isContinue reading “What healthy friendship requires – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 5”
Tag Archives: betrayal
With friends like these, who needs enemies? – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 4
Think about a time when a friend betrayed you. Maybe they lied to you. Maybe they knew you were struggling with a difficult situation in life, and they didn’t care for you. Betrayal is part and parcel of humanity. More than likely, we ourselves have done our fair share of betraying. We can think ofContinue reading “With friends like these, who needs enemies? – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 4”
When the great king David falls apart – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 3
Have you ever had the unsettling experience of having someone you look up to fall apart? Maybe it is a parent, grandparent or mentor, and they behave in a way that calls into question everything you respected about them. In the saga of David’s dysfunctional family, it is David who falls apart. In the previousContinue reading “When the great king David falls apart – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 3”
How to handle betrayal and insult – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 1
Life has taken a dramatic turn for the worst for King David. His son Absalom has rebelled and set in motion a plan to usurp the throne. Fearing the worst, David and his faithful followers flee the city. At the end of 2 Samuel chapter 15, though David is on the run and seriously grievingContinue reading “How to handle betrayal and insult – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 1”
Civil war, polygamy, jealousy and palace intrigue – 2 Samuel 2:9—3:39, Part 2
We resume the story of civil war in Israel from the previous post. The story in 2nd Samuel chapter 2 is one of a fierce battle between the single tribe, Judah, and the other eleven tribes of Israel. Azahel of Judah is chasing down the top general of the army of Israel, Abner. Abner callsContinue reading “Civil war, polygamy, jealousy and palace intrigue – 2 Samuel 2:9—3:39, Part 2”
How Jesus responds to the fact that one of his best friends disowned him at the moment of his greatest need – John 21, Part 4
When Peter denied Jesus, has Peter lost his position as leader? Is Peter qualified to be one of the 12 disciples anymore? When you deny your Lord, haven’t you committed the unforgivable sin? What Peter did was extremely significant, and not in a good way. Now Jesus addresses the elephant in the room, the factContinue reading “How Jesus responds to the fact that one of his best friends disowned him at the moment of his greatest need – John 21, Part 4”
When life falls apart in an instant – John 18, Preview
The phone call with bad news. The discovery of indiscretion. The revealing of a lie. The sudden accident. The vote that goes the other way. The response of “No.” So quickly we realize the fragility of life. It’s amazing how fast life can change, isn’t it? My guess is that all of us have experiencedContinue reading “When life falls apart in an instant – John 18, Preview”
Cliques in the church and loving difficult people – John 13:18-38, Part 5
Over the years, people have said there are cliques in the church, and they don’t believe there shouldn’t be cliques in the church. A clique is a small group of people who like to be together and can be adverse to others joining them. What do you think? Are cliques antithetical to Christianity? In theContinue reading “Cliques in the church and loving difficult people – John 13:18-38, Part 5”
Why we need to see ourselves as links in a missional chain – John 13:18-38, Part 2
Leadership is lonely, or so some say. As a pastor since 2002, I have felt that loneliness from time to time. Frankly, some loneliness is self-imposed. “I can do it better myself,” we think. Or we don’t want to put in the work to involve others. Maybe we struggle to release our grip on aContinue reading “Why we need to see ourselves as links in a missional chain – John 13:18-38, Part 2”
Are people ever too far gone? – John 13:18-38, Preview
Have you felt as though some people are just too far gone, as if there is no hope for them? Maybe it is a relative who has made a series of poor choices. Maybe it is a friend who has struggled for years. Maybe you wonder about yourself. It could be the person who isContinue reading “Are people ever too far gone? – John 13:18-38, Preview”
Engaging Scripture 