Editor’s Note: This week we welcome guest blogger, Emily Marks. Emily is an adult and community educator. She and her husband Sean live in Lancaster, PA, with their dog Corvus. I learned so much from her sermon on 2 Samuel 11-12! I’m excited for you to read these blog posts. In the dramatic story ofContinue reading “Are you trying to hide something from God? – 2 Samuel 11—12, Part 5”
Tag Archives: evil
Are you a typical human who doesn’t see the truth about yourself? – 2 Samuel 11—12, Part 4
Editor’s Note: This week we welcome guest blogger, Emily Marks. Emily is an adult and community educator. She and her husband Sean live in Lancaster, PA, with their dog Corvus. I learned so much from her sermon on 2 Samuel 11-12! I’m excited for you to read these blog posts. David has a big responsibilityContinue reading “Are you a typical human who doesn’t see the truth about yourself? – 2 Samuel 11—12, Part 4”
A dark evil day during David’s fugitive years – 1st Samuel 21 & 22, Part 4
David has been experiencing some good news while on the run as a fugitive, which we learned in the previous post. Just like that, though, things turn very dark. In 1st Samuel 22, verse 6, the narrative switches focus on David’s pursuer, King Saul. We learn that Saul is raving made that David has notContinue reading “A dark evil day during David’s fugitive years – 1st Samuel 21 & 22, Part 4”
The primary characteristic of a disciple of Jesus – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 2
What do you think is the primary characteristic of a disciple of Jesus? Think about it a moment. There are numerous potential answers. You might even think of biblical passages that might provide some answers. I think the story that we’ve been following this week on the blog, a story found in 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a,Continue reading “The primary characteristic of a disciple of Jesus – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 2”
Does evil and suffering in the world negate a loving, all-powerful God? – Q & A, Part 3
This week we take a break from our Relationships in the Church series. At Faith Church this past week I gave a Q & A sermon. I asked the congregation for questions ahead of time, and then I attempted to bring biblical theology to bear on their questions. Here’s the next question: As Christians, howContinue reading “Does evil and suffering in the world negate a loving, all-powerful God? – Q & A, Part 3”
Are you struggling with fear? – New Year Psalm of Wisdom, Part 2
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”
Why humility, teachability and the Korean concept of Han are vital to confession – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 5
As we learned in the previous post, when we confess our sins, we are trusting in God. But there’s more. When we confess our sins, here is what we are to do next, as David writes in Psalm 32, verses 8-9, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; IContinue reading “Why humility, teachability and the Korean concept of Han are vital to confession – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 5”
What to do when our hearts feel stone cold – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 3
Israel’s great king, David, has sinned greatly, as we’ve seen in the previous two posts in this series here and here. But with some creatively devious evil thinking, he has covered his sin, and has just one more detail to care for. This is how the story continues in 2 Samuel 11, verses 26-27, “WhenContinue reading “What to do when our hearts feel stone cold – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 3”
The perfect cover-up for sin? – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 2
David is in a terrible spot of his own making. He has slept with one of his soldier’s wives, and now she is pregnant. How will this king who is known as “the man after God’s own heart” react? In 2 Samuel 11, verses 6-9, David concocts a plan: “So David sent this word toContinue reading “The perfect cover-up for sin? – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 2”
Hidden sins and indiscretions – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 1
As I write this in December 2023, we’re just three weeks away from Christmas Day. Do you hide Christmas presents and wait until Christmas Eve night to place the gifts under the tree? When you were a child, did you tried to find the hidden gifts and take a peek? Thinking about hiding things, takeContinue reading “Hidden sins and indiscretions – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 