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. I’m excited for her teaching this week. From 2009-2013, our son, Alexander, began having many struggles—some physicalContinue reading “Why and how we can choose joy in the midst of pain – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 25, Part 3”
Tag Archives: joy
Three reasons for joy – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 25, Part 2
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. I’m excited for her teaching this week. When I was a kid, growing up in church, thereContinue reading “Three reasons for joy – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 25, Part 2”
The Apostle Paul’s “Eat Pray Love”-like formula – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 25, Part 1
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. I’m excited for her teaching this week. In 2006 Elizabeth Gilbert wrote a biographical memoir called EatContinue reading “The Apostle Paul’s “Eat Pray Love”-like formula – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 25, Part 1″
Evaluating YOLO, FOMO, and Bucket Lists – Advent Joy, Part 5
You know the acronyms YOLO and FOMO? “You only live once,” and “fear of missing out.” Those phrases describe a passion to have amazing experiences. As we have been studying the Apostle Paul’s perspective on his incarceration in Philippians 1, it almost sounds like he is using a version of YOLO or FOMO. But isContinue reading “Evaluating YOLO, FOMO, and Bucket Lists – Advent Joy, Part 5”
Super-sizing God, even in prison – Advent Joy, Part 4
In the last few years, I’ve spent a lot of time in prison. In 2023 a man from my church was incarcerated, and I visited him weekly. As a result, my church joined the rotation of churches leading worship services for inmates at the prison. Our team leads worship about once per month. Our countyContinue reading “Super-sizing God, even in prison – Advent Joy, Part 4”
How to view life through the lens of joy – Advent Joy, Part 2
When I am going through a difficult situation, my #1 response is “I want this to be done.” It could be when I am out on a four mile run. I want it to be done. It could be a big project, like my forthcoming book. I want it to be done. It could beContinue reading “How to view life through the lens of joy – Advent Joy, Part 2”
It can be very difficult to have joy sometimes – Advent Joy, Part 1
The year is circa 55CE, approximately 20 years after Jesus resurrected and ascended to heaven. A man named Paul is driving the outward expansion of the Christian church into the Roman Empire. In Acts 16, we read that he arrives in the city of Philippi, which is an archaeological site in modern-day Greece. In Paul’sContinue reading “It can be very difficult to have joy sometimes – Advent Joy, Part 1”
It may or may not be the end of the world, and I feel…hilarious? – Advent Joy, Preview
Do you know what the title of the book of Revelation refers to? Revelation is not about reveling, but about “that which is revealed.” In the book of Revelation, God reveals to the apostle John a fantastic vision. Biblical scholars have long debated how we should interpret the vision’s imagery. Is it literal or isContinue reading “It may or may not be the end of the world, and I feel…hilarious? – Advent Joy, Preview”
Three important words about salvation that lead to exuberant praise around the globe – Advent Psalm of Celebration, Part 4
Most people enjoy a good celebration. Whether it is New Year’s, a birthday, an anniversary, a victory or achievement of some kind, it is wonderful to gather with friends and loved ones to celebrate. Psalm 98 is a psalm of celebration. In this post we’ll find out why. In Psalm 98, there are three words in verses 1-3Continue reading “Three important words about salvation that lead to exuberant praise around the globe – Advent Psalm of Celebration, Part 4”
How to pray when you’re down – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Part 2
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”
Engaging Scripture 