Have you ever had your heart broken? Maybe the other person cheated. Maybe the other person terminated the relationship. Maybe they moved away. Maybe they lied. There are loads of reasons for a broken heart when you are in love. In today’s post, we’re going to learn that we all need our hearts broken. ButContinue reading “We all need to have our hearts broken – David’s heart after God, Part 5”
Tag Archives: david
What I learned from a Shakespeare class about God’s word – David’s heart after God, Part 4
For my undergraduate studies, I attended a Bible college, so it might surprise you that my top five classes included a class that wasn’t specifically related to Bible, theology, or ministry. One of my top five was Shakespeare. For that class, we read something like five of his plays. Also, my professor, Dr. Joan Tompkins,Continue reading “What I learned from a Shakespeare class about God’s word – David’s heart after God, Part 4”
The active life choices of a heart like God’s – David’s heart after God, Part 2
David’s psalms are like his personal prayer journal. When you put them together, we can learn a lot about what David thought. In the rest of the posts this week, we’re going to look at how David writes about the heart in his psalms. Through David’s comments on the heart, we will learn more aboutContinue reading “The active life choices of a heart like God’s – David’s heart after God, Part 2”
Why the King David tell-all memoir is a good thing – David’s heart after God, Part 1
A few years ago Prince Harry wrote Spare, a sometime lurid memoir that deeply upset some in the British royal family. It’s not just royals or famous people. Who wants their personal struggles on the headlines? I would venture a guest that hardly anyone wants that kind of negative publicity. Even after a loved oneContinue reading “Why the King David tell-all memoir is a good thing – David’s heart after God, Part 1”
What phrase best describes Israel’s great king David? (And what did he think about that phrase?)
If you had to describe Israel’s great king David in one phrase, what would it be? Since April 2024, as we worked our way through the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel, concluding last week with David’s passing in 1st Kings chapters 1 and 2, we have observed David’s messy, dramatic, and utterly fascinating life. Numerous timesContinue reading “What phrase best describes Israel’s great king David? (And what did he think about that phrase?)”
What should Christians say as their last words? – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 5
If you have the opportunity to say last words, just before you die, what would you say? Think about the gravity of the moment. Likely, your family will be around you. They will remember your last words probably more than anything you ever said to them. Your last words will be famous to them, lockedContinue reading “What should Christians say as their last words? – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 5”
When do you draw the line with a difficult employee, friend or family member? – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 4
Have you ever faced the difficult, emotional experience of firing an employee? Or perhaps you’ve had to place boundaries on a relationship? In the business world, a boss might want to avoid the pain of firing an employee who needs to be fired. In Christian communities, the theology of love and grace is deeply rootedContinue reading “When do you draw the line with a difficult employee, friend or family member? – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 4”
The messiness of vague succession – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 3
Succession is often messy. The transfer of power from one leader to the next is fraught with emotions of uncertainty and fear, particularly when the outgoing leader has been in charge for a longtime and is beloved. Succession is also difficult when there is only a vague plan for succession. I am writing this postContinue reading “The messiness of vague succession – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 3”
Asking questions: a helpful model for confronting others – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 2
I hate confrontation. When I have to say something the least bit confrontational to a person, I get shaky and nervous and often say far less than I ought to. Do you know the feeling? I suspect that the majority of people do not enjoy confrontation, even those who are confident enough to confront. IContinue reading “Asking questions: a helpful model for confronting others – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 2”
David is cold, can’t get warm. What his attendants do to help him is a shocker. (Or is it?) – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 1
My wife recently purchased a new comforter for our bed. The floral print on the comforter is very nice, and the comforter stuffing is fluffy. It’s a great-looking comforter. It is not a warm comforter. We heat our home with a wood stove, which is located in our living room. We love our wood stove.Continue reading “David is cold, can’t get warm. What his attendants do to help him is a shocker. (Or is it?) – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 