What would happen if a bomb destroyed the US Capitol during the State of the Union speech when nearly every government official is at the Capitol, and they all die? The President, VP, Speaker of the House, the senators and representatives. The Supreme Court justices. The Joint Chiefs of Staff. The president’s Cabinet, all those secretariesContinue reading “What happens when there is no Designated Survivor? – 1 Samuel 31 – 2 Samuel 2:7, Preview”
Tag Archives: king david
Three reasons Christians should study the Old Testament – 1st Samuel 28-30, Part 2
This week we welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk retired from a long career in pastoral ministry, denominational leadership and theological education. He now works in global fair trade. Is it worth it to read the Old Testament? As we learned in the previous post, the Old Testament is sometimes so strange to us thatContinue reading “Three reasons Christians should study the Old Testament – 1st Samuel 28-30, Part 2”
Let’s admit it, sometimes the Bible is weird – 1st Samuel 28-30, Part 1
This week we welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk retired from a long career in pastoral ministry, denominational leadership and theological education. He now works in global fair trade. Weird is one of those words of which it could be said, “We know it when we see it.” But describing or defining what makes somethingContinue reading “Let’s admit it, sometimes the Bible is weird – 1st Samuel 28-30, Part 1”
The weird conclusion to King Saul’s reign – 1st Samuel 28-30, Preview
Maybe you’ve seen the famous slogan in the photo above. Portland, Oregon, really wants to stay weird. The city of Portland has embraced its self-identity of weirdness, while others have suggested that weirdness is not good. Have you ever read the Bible and thought, “This passage is…weird.”? If you’ve thought something like that, you’re notContinue reading “The weird conclusion to King Saul’s reign – 1st Samuel 28-30, Preview”
How could David slaughter men and women…and lie about it? – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Part 4
In the previous post, we read something very dark about David, who was supposed to be a man after God’s own heart. In 1st Samuel 27, we learned that David and his men go out on raids, slaughtering people. Men and women. Also, David clearly didn’t want his new king, the Philistine, Achish, to knowContinue reading “How could David slaughter men and women…and lie about it? – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Part 4”
Why is it so difficult to admit we are wrong? – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Part 2
Do you like to admit you are wrong? The biblical concept of repentance involves admitting that you are wrong, and generally-speaking, we humans don’t like to admit we are wrong. As we have been studying the life of David through the account in 1st Samuel, for a few weeks now, we’ve been following the storyContinue reading “Why is it so difficult to admit we are wrong? – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Part 2”
David’s compelling rationale for not killing Saul (though Saul wants to kill him) – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Part 1
When my oldest son was in Kindergarten, he would come home reporting to us what movies other kids in his class were allowed to watch. My wife and I were astounded at those parents. How could they allow their kids to watch such movies with such intense themes? We were certainly not allowing our twoContinue reading “David’s compelling rationale for not killing Saul (though Saul wants to kill him) – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Part 1”
Who are the difficult people in your life? – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Preview
Who are the difficult people in your life? Who comes to mind? Could be a family member. Could be a coworker. A client. A team member. A friend. A friend??? Why would we be friends with difficult people? But we are sometimes, aren’t we? Would anyone in your life think that you are difficult inContinue reading “Who are the difficult people in your life? – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Preview”
In God’s mission, do the ends justify the means? – 1st Samuel 25, Part 5
Have you heard the phrase, “the ends justify the means”? This common statement suggest that if we are pursuing a good goal, we might need to use not-so-good methods to achieve that goal. All that matters is achieving the goal. The goal, in other words, is so important that we can allow for inappropriate behaviorContinue reading “In God’s mission, do the ends justify the means? – 1st Samuel 25, Part 5”
How the practice of listening can keep us from disaster – 1 Samuel 25, Part 4
David is in a rage, believing a man named Nabal has disrespected him. David and his men, armed to the teeth, are advancing on Nabal to slaughter Nabal and his servants. But suddenly, Nabal’s wife, Abigail, shows up and pleads with David to stop. In the previous post, we observed Abigail’s genius diplomacy and communicationContinue reading “How the practice of listening can keep us from disaster – 1 Samuel 25, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 