God has a wife! Am I talking about Jesus marrying Mary Magdalene, as was popularized in The Da Vinci Code? No. While that is a thrilling story, it based on fiction. What I am talking about is a different section of the Bible that tells a story about God getting married. Unfortunately for God, theContinue reading “God has a wife? – Ezekiel 15 & 16, Part 2”
Tag Archives: bible
When someone close to you wanders away – Ezekiel 15 & 16, Part 1
My college roommate was best man in my wedding. We were very close. After graduating from college, we even worked together for a few years. Then he asked me to be his best man. On the one hand I was elated, but on the other hand, my wife and were very concerned about his relationship withContinue reading “When someone close to you wanders away – Ezekiel 15 & 16, Part 1”
Do you feel disconnected from God – Ezekiel 15 & 16, Preview
When is the most recent time you encountered God? Maybe it was long ago. Maybe it was today. Maybe you wonder if you have ever encountered God. Maybe you encounter God on a regular basis. What was it like when you encountered God? Did it happen during worship? Maybe you felt his presence in nature? Continue reading “Do you feel disconnected from God – Ezekiel 15 & 16, Preview”
Does your life need a U-turn? – Ezekiel 14, Part 5
Is there any way you might be heading in the wrong direction? Maybe it is obvious and you know it, but you are plowing ahead anyway. Maybe it is not so obvious, and you suspect it, and in your moments of quietness you long for something different, but you don’t really believe it is possibleContinue reading “Does your life need a U-turn? – Ezekiel 14, Part 5”
A curious case of God making a prophet sin? – Ezekiel 14, Part 4
Long ago I attended a church’s Sunday School class in which the teacher claimed that God is in control of everything, which includes creating and causing human sin, and then punishing humans for the sin. I found that very strange and wrong. I questioned the teacher, but he explained that God is holy and perfect,Continue reading “A curious case of God making a prophet sin? – Ezekiel 14, Part 4”
When you might not want God to talk to you – Ezekiel 14, Part 3
How would you describe your relationship with God? Close? Distant? In Ezekiel 14, verse 7, God describes the status of his relationship with his people. He says that they separated themselves from him. They chose to separate themselves from God, and they showed this choice by setting up idols in their hearts and putting theContinue reading “When you might not want God to talk to you – Ezekiel 14, Part 3”
God’s surprising response to idolatry in the heart – Ezekiel 14, Part 2
Have you had a person in your life who screws you over, hurts you, chooses to barely ever talk to you, and yet when they need money, they are so bold to come ask for your help? They haven’t had anything like a good relationship with you for a long time, and suddenly they appearContinue reading “God’s surprising response to idolatry in the heart – Ezekiel 14, Part 2”
Do you have idolatry in your heart and not know it? – Ezekiel 14, Part 1
What do you long for? What do you desire? A relationship? Debts paid off? A big enough savings account so you’re not living paycheck to paycheck? A new car? New house? A different personality? Different looks? Good health? Healing? Success? Athletic ability? Artistic ability? A raise? What do you long for? We all have desire. Continue reading “Do you have idolatry in your heart and not know it? – Ezekiel 14, Part 1”
Should we eliminate desire in our lives? – Ezekiel 14, Preview
Years ago, I remember listening to a new song thinking, “I don’t think I should be listening to this. It doesn’t seem appropriate…but I’m not sure.” Why was I concerned? Because the song touched on themes that seemed to be getting really close to a line I knew I shouldn’t cross. I felt uncomfortable. AtContinue reading “Should we eliminate desire in our lives? – Ezekiel 14, Preview”
Examples of folk theology and how to avoid it – Ezekiel 13, Part 5
The snow was falling heavy, covering the road. A young man in my church was driving in the middle of the storm, lost control of his car, and it spun into a snowbank along the roadside. The car stopped with a thud. Breathing heavy, heart pounding, his hands tightly gripped the steering wheel. He lookedContinue reading “Examples of folk theology and how to avoid it – Ezekiel 13, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 