Advent 2025, Week 3: Psalm 139, Preview What is weighing heavily on your heart and mind this week? Here are a few snippets of text conversations I had this week, all of show the tell-tale signs of burden. Maybe one of these will resonate with you. “Gonna have a hard conversation this weekend, with [—]:Continue reading “The burdens of life are real”
Tag Archives: hardship
Mighty children and fabulous wealth
Advent 2025, Week 1: Psalm 112, Part 3 Two of the primary hopes parents long for is (1) that their children do well, and (2) that they have enough money to provide for their kids. Parents can expend mountains of emotional energy on these two important concerns throughout the parenting years, and even long afterContinue reading “Mighty children and fabulous wealth”
The transforming power of gratitude – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 25, Part 5
Editor’s Note: This week I welcome guest blogger, Debbie Marks. Debbie has a degree in social work, served for 30+ in pastoral ministry alongside her husband, is an educator, leads Bible studies, and has been a retreat speaker. We all hit life’s unexpected potholes. The issue, then, is how we will respond to these inevitableContinue reading “The transforming power of gratitude – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 25, Part 5”
When life is painful, do people make stupid comments to you? – 1st Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 2
Hannah is in a precarious situation. She can’t bear her husband an heir, and yet her rival wife, Penninah is quite fertile. Hannah’s husband, Elkanah, could kick Hannah to the curb. What will Elkanah do? In 1st Samuel 1, verses 4-5, we learn that, “Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would giveContinue reading “When life is painful, do people make stupid comments to you? – 1st Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 2”
A Lament for Dark Days – 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11, Preview
“Hello darkness, my old friend.” Can you imagine singing that lyric during a worship service? No? Me neither. It’s the start of the Simon & Garfunkel song “The Sound of Silence.” Great song, but we probably wouldn’t sing it as a praise to God in a worship service. What about this line: “Why, O Lord,Continue reading “A Lament for Dark Days – 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11, Preview”
Perspective in the middle of tough times – Psalm 96, Part 3
In Psalm 96, verses 2 and 3 instruct us to proclaim God’s salvation day after day. This is the same idea that is encapsulated in the word “evangelism,” which is about proclaiming Good News. The psalmist reminds us that we have Good News story to share, and in verse 3 he describes it as declaringContinue reading “Perspective in the middle of tough times – Psalm 96, Part 3”
When God gives you a difficult job – Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Part 2
Have you ever felt like God is asking you to do something, but it is too hard? With Ezekiel on his feet, God talks to him, giving him a new job. What kind of job? Will it be fun? Or will it be difficult? Read Ezekiel 2, verses 3-8. God calls Ezekiel to be aContinue reading “When God gives you a difficult job – Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Part 2”
Is rejoicing in suffering a bad idea? – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 1
How should we respond to suffering? Maybe you’re suffering somehow, and you’re sick of it. I’ve had heel pain for the last few months, and though I will admit to being very inconsistent in treating it, I’m frustrated with it. I want it to be healed. I am not rejoicing in this suffering. Rejoicing? IfContinue reading “Is rejoicing in suffering a bad idea? – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 1”
“Christians must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Really?) – Acts 14, Part 4
How do you like the quote in the title? Agree? Disagree? Let’s talk about it. In the previous post we looked at the question of whether or not Jesus is okay with various levels of commitment to him. As we study Acts, it seems that a guy like the Apostle Paul was radically committed toContinue reading ““Christians must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Really?) – Acts 14, Part 4″
Learning to see yourself for who you really are, and learning to see past your circumstances – Philemon 1-7, Part 1
How do you come across to people? Even if you think you know how you come across, what if your impression of yourself is wrong, or maybe even slightly off? It is a sign of growing maturity to be able to have self-awareness. Some humans are very self-aware, and others not so much. ItContinue reading “Learning to see yourself for who you really are, and learning to see past your circumstances – Philemon 1-7, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 