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”
Tag Archives: bible study
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”
The diminishment of the American presidency – 1st Samuel 8-10, Part 5
A few years ago I was in a doctoral class about leadership, and we were talking about the American presidential election coming soon. My professor made what I thought was a very irresponsible comment, “The person in the White House matters very little.” My professor is a deep thinker, so I was surprised to hearContinue reading “The diminishment of the American presidency – 1st Samuel 8-10, Part 5”
The king who didn’t want to be king – 1st Samuel 8-10, Part 4
This week I’ve been blogging about the story of Israel asking for a king. God is their king, but they want a human king. Amazing God grants their wish, and in the last post we met the king. He’s a man name Saul. As the story in 1st Samuel chapter unfolds, Saul searches for hisContinue reading “The king who didn’t want to be king – 1st Samuel 8-10, Part 4”
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”
Does it really go better when organizations (including marriages) have one single leader? – 1st Samuel 8-10, Part 1
Take a look at these nicknames in the list below. Do you know the people they are referring to. They are all famous people from the 1900s and 2000s. The answers are at the conclusion of the post. See how many you can guess! The King of Rock & Roll King James The King ofContinue reading “Does it really go better when organizations (including marriages) have one single leader? – 1st Samuel 8-10, Part 1”
How to rightly submit to God – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 5
After the first three chapters of 1st Samuel focusing on Samuel’s birth and childhood, we’ve now read through more chapters, 4 through 6, with no mention of Samuel. Where is Samuel through all the craziness of the Ark of the Covenant’s capture? The narrative doesn’t tell us, so we can safely guess that during thoseContinue reading “How to rightly submit to God – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 