The ancient Hebrews often uses parallel structures in their writing, and we see it throughout the Hebrew Bible, which we call the Old Testament. It seems that Psalm 30 was written with one of those structures. Here’s the way they work. The opening matches the closing. The second main point matches the second to lastContinue reading “How to pray when you’re down – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Part 2”
Tag Archives: hope
Five steps from lament to hope – Advent Psalms of Lament, Part 5
This week I welcome guest blogger, Jeff Byerly. Jeff is my pastoral colleague, friend, ThD classmate, and traveling partner! He and his wife Tasha have two daughters, a son-in-law and new grandbaby! Are you ready for another Psalm of Lament? Open a Bible to Psalm 12. This time I want to show you a simpleContinue reading “Five steps from lament to hope – Advent Psalms of Lament, Part 5”
How lament provides empathy in our despair – Advent Psalms of Lament, Part 3
This week I welcome guest blogger, Jeff Byerly. Jeff is my pastoral colleague, friend, ThD classmate, and traveling partner! He and his wife Tasha have two daughters, a son-in-law and new grandbaby! In the first post, I mentioned the zeitgeist that we seem to be under—with things beyond our control. It’s always been this way,Continue reading “How lament provides empathy in our despair – Advent Psalms of Lament, Part 3”
How lament turns our weariness into hope – Advent Psalms of Lament, Part 1
This week I welcome guest blogger, Jeff Byerly. Jeff is my friend, pastoral colleague, ThD classmate, and traveling partner! He and his wife Tasha have two daughters, a son-in-law and new grandbaby! What in the world is going on these days? I remember sitting in my doctoral studies just a few years ago … priorContinue reading “How lament turns our weariness into hope – Advent Psalms of Lament, Part 1”
How to protect your mind – Helmet of Salvation, Part 5
There’s one more facet to the Helmet of Salvation. Helmets protects the vital organs in our heads. Primarily our brains, our minds, our thoughts. Like wise, when we are saved in Christ, we have powerful truths protecting our minds. We humans can be pretty tough on ourselves and others, and that cruelty starts in ourContinue reading “How to protect your mind – Helmet of Salvation, Part 5”
How deeply God desires us to experience peace – Boots of Peace, Part 5
As we conclude this week’s blog series about the Boots of Peace in the Armor of God, consider what Paul writes about peace in Ephesians 2, verses 11-22: “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his fleshContinue reading “How deeply God desires us to experience peace – Boots of Peace, Part 5”
God’s not done with us – Reflecting God, Part 5
Note: In this post we welcome guest blogger, David Hundert. David is studying in Kairos University – Evangelical Seminary’s Master of Divinity program. I started out this series of blog posts here with two simple questions. When you look in a mirror, what do you see? When you look in a mirror, what should youContinue reading “God’s not done with us – Reflecting God, Part 5”
How Jesus’ resurrection can give us new life – John 20, Part 5
After assuring doubting Thomas that he, Jesus, truly has a body that is alive, Jesus makes a powerful remark that I love. Jesus talks about you and me. Look at John 20, verse 29. “Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yetContinue reading “How Jesus’ resurrection can give us new life – John 20, Part 5”
How to wade through chaos into victory – John 18, Part 5
This week I welcome guest blogger, Emerald Scaffe. Emerald is married and together with her husband, has three children. She also serves on the teaching team at Faith Church. The Jewish leaders finally have Jesus where they want him. In front of Pilate. So they change their tactic a little bit for the Roman Governor. Continue reading “How to wade through chaos into victory – John 18, Part 5”
Why fear is the wrong response to AI – A Theology of AI, Part 5
There are many tools we create that are not inherently beautiful or evil. A hammer is not really a work of art (could be though), but it can be used for good or bad. Hammers build and hammers destroy. Same with computers and computer programming. The internet is unbelievably useful for communication, education, coordination, butContinue reading “Why fear is the wrong response to AI – A Theology of AI, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 