Have you ever had your heart broken? Maybe the other person cheated. Maybe the other person terminated the relationship. Maybe they moved away. Maybe they lied. There are loads of reasons for a broken heart when you are in love. In today’s post, we’re going to learn that we all need our hearts broken. ButContinue reading “We all need to have our hearts broken – David’s heart after God, Part 5”
Tag Archives: life of david
What I learned from a Shakespeare class about God’s word – David’s heart after God, Part 4
For my undergraduate studies, I attended a Bible college, so it might surprise you that my top five classes included a class that wasn’t specifically related to Bible, theology, or ministry. One of my top five was Shakespeare. For that class, we read something like five of his plays. Also, my professor, Dr. Joan Tompkins,Continue reading “What I learned from a Shakespeare class about God’s word – David’s heart after God, Part 4”
What to do when your heart is filled with fear and pain – David’s heart after God, Part 3
You’re getting old, wrinkly, flabby? Fear not! “Just purchase our wonder cream to help your skin, and you’ll be young again in no time.” You feeling uncertain about finances in the future? Fear not! “Just contact our investment firm, and we will get you ready.” You feeling stressed out by the pressures of life? FearContinue reading “What to do when your heart is filled with fear and pain – David’s heart after God, Part 3”
The active life choices of a heart like God’s – David’s heart after God, Part 2
David’s psalms are like his personal prayer journal. When you put them together, we can learn a lot about what David thought. In the rest of the posts this week, we’re going to look at how David writes about the heart in his psalms. Through David’s comments on the heart, we will learn more aboutContinue reading “The active life choices of a heart like God’s – David’s heart after God, Part 2”
The messiness of vague succession – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 3
Succession is often messy. The transfer of power from one leader to the next is fraught with emotions of uncertainty and fear, particularly when the outgoing leader has been in charge for a longtime and is beloved. Succession is also difficult when there is only a vague plan for succession. I am writing this postContinue reading “The messiness of vague succession – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 3”
David is cold, can’t get warm. What his attendants do to help him is a shocker. (Or is it?) – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 1
My wife recently purchased a new comforter for our bed. The floral print on the comforter is very nice, and the comforter stuffing is fluffy. It’s a great-looking comforter. It is not a warm comforter. We heat our home with a wood stove, which is located in our living room. We love our wood stove.Continue reading “David is cold, can’t get warm. What his attendants do to help him is a shocker. (Or is it?) – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 1”
What would it look like for you to sacrifice to God in a way that will demonstrate your trust in him? – 2 Samuel 24, Part 5
I had a spiritual direction appointment this week, and my spiritual director was asking about my upcoming sabbatical, which will be in August through October. He asked what I was going to do, and if I had a sabbatical theme. I had to admit to my spiritual director that I do not have a themeContinue reading “What would it look like for you to sacrifice to God in a way that will demonstrate your trust in him? – 2 Samuel 24, Part 5”
Does God feel emotions? – 2 Samuel 24, Part 3
Do you think of God as having emotions? If God is perfect, wouldn’t it follow that he doesn’t have emotions like humans? Can God feel feelings? Or is he more like a robot? Theologians and bible scholars have debated these questions for centuries. The answers are not easy to come by. Take a look atContinue reading “Does God feel emotions? – 2 Samuel 24, Part 3”
With God, success is not about numbers – 2 Samuel 24, Part 2
Have you ever been punished with a “pick your poison” method? You misbehaved and your parents give you a choice about which punishment you will receive. It feels awful, doesn’t it? You must not only wrestle with your guilt and any hurt your disobedience caused others, you now have to choose the consequences. You areContinue reading “With God, success is not about numbers – 2 Samuel 24, Part 2”
A census is…punishment? 2 Samuel 24, Part 1
We are nearing the end of David’s life. The final chapter in 2 Samuel, Chapter 24, is just so perfect for the last story in David’s life. It’s perfect because it is confusing and filled with turmoil, much of which is David’s fault, but then it concludes with a beautiful description of David’s heart. IContinue reading “A census is…punishment? 2 Samuel 24, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 