Advent 2025, Week 1: Psalm 112, Part 4 When we are in dark, difficult situations, we are often self-focused, wallowing in our misfortune and hurt. It is not wrong to sit with our pain. In fact sitting in our pain is needed for a time. As I mentioned in the previous post, when we feelContinue reading “Ancient wisdom for the dark times in life”
Tag Archives: family
How David’s dysfunctional family teaches us about love, boundaries, and deflating drama – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Part 5
In 2 Samuel chapter 15, David’s son Absalom is scheming again. This time he has his sights on the biggest prize. The throne. In verses 1-6, Absalom starts acting and talking to people like a king would act and talk. He rides a chariot with an entourage. He pronounces rulings by the city gate. HeContinue reading “How David’s dysfunctional family teaches us about love, boundaries, and deflating drama – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Part 5”
People of God act to decrease drama – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15 – Part 2
In some cultures, particularly in the ancient world, kings sometimes purge their nations of any contenders to the throne. Some even have members of their own extended family killed, just to preserve their lineage. That kind of purge is the epitome of family drama. In 2 Samuel 9, however, David does the opposite. David isContinue reading “People of God act to decrease drama – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15 – Part 2”
Can the Bible help us resolve family drama? – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Part 1
Do you have drama in your family? I’m sure we could all tell stories. The family member that no one talks to. The family member that is difficult. The family member that, when you are together, spends the whole time talking about themselves, and then just as they are about to leave says, “How areContinue reading “Can the Bible help us resolve family drama? – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Part 1”
King David was a drama magnet – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Preview
Are there people in your life who seem to attract more than their fair share of sickness, accidents, strange situations, or relational brokenness? Maybe you’re thinking, “That’s me.” Whether you or other people, some people seem like magnets for drama. When I think of a drama magnet, I think of King David, who is famouslyContinue reading “King David was a drama magnet – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Preview”
The horror of war in ancient Israel – 2 Samuel 2:8—3:39, Part 1
Have you ever been playing the game of Risk, when you had a much larger army than another player, so you attack them? You are very confident that you will defeat them. Even if they roll well, you will win a war of attrition. But then it happens. They roll sixes over and over, slowlyContinue reading “The horror of war in ancient Israel – 2 Samuel 2:8—3:39, Part 1”
How God can transform tragedy – Matthew 21:1-11, Part 3
Editor’s Note: This week at Faith Church we welcomed one of my current students, Molly Stouffer, as guest preacher. Molly is from Hagerstown, MD, studying Pastoral Ministries at Lancaster Bible College. Here is the third in her series of posts guest blogging her Palm Sunday sermon! Nobody told me that my mother’s survival meant immenseContinue reading “How God can transform tragedy – Matthew 21:1-11, Part 3”
The power of “with” – Caring for one another, Part 5
I recently had lunch with a friend who has been going through a deeply difficult season of life for the past two years. It all started when his wife shocked him by separating from him, and likely turning his two teenaged sons against him. She cut off communication, and they eventually moved out. She refusedContinue reading “The power of “with” – Caring for one another, Part 5″
How a hidden camera can help American Christians improve…Meeting together, Part 3
Imagine you are in a building like a hospital or office high-rise. You’ve just finished an important meeting on one of the upper floors, so you head for the bank of elevators. After pressing the down button, you wait until your elevator is ready, and the doors open. What you see inside surprises you. The elevator is nearly full,Continue reading “How a hidden camera can help American Christians improve…Meeting together, Part 3”
Why you don’t know your great-grandparents’ names – New Year Psalm of Wisdom, Part 3
My 2yr-old grandson calls me “Pop-Pop,” because I wanted to be called “Pop-Pop” after my grandfather. He calls my wife, “Grammy” because that’s what some of our best friends’ daughter called her grandmother, who was another close friend who passed away in 2020 after battling cancer. These are both individuals we loved and admired. WeContinue reading “Why you don’t know your great-grandparents’ names – New Year Psalm of Wisdom, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 