Advent 2025, Week 1: Psalm 112, Part 4 When we are in dark, difficult situations, we are often self-focused, wallowing in our misfortune and hurt. It is not wrong to sit with our pain. In fact sitting in our pain is needed for a time. As I mentioned in the previous post, when we feelContinue reading “Ancient wisdom for the dark times in life”
Tag Archives: psalms
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”
We all need to have our hearts broken – David’s heart after God, Part 5
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”
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”
Why the King David tell-all memoir is a good thing – David’s heart after God, Part 1
A few years ago Prince Harry wrote Spare, a sometime lurid memoir that deeply upset some in the British royal family. It’s not just royals or famous people. Who wants their personal struggles on the headlines? I would venture a guest that hardly anyone wants that kind of negative publicity. Even after a loved oneContinue reading “Why the King David tell-all memoir is a good thing – David’s heart after God, Part 1”
What phrase best describes Israel’s great king David? (And what did he think about that phrase?)
If you had to describe Israel’s great king David in one phrase, what would it be? Since April 2024, as we worked our way through the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel, concluding last week with David’s passing in 1st Kings chapters 1 and 2, we have observed David’s messy, dramatic, and utterly fascinating life. Numerous timesContinue reading “What phrase best describes Israel’s great king David? (And what did he think about that phrase?)”
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”
The most important trait of a disciple of Jesus? – 2 Samuel 22, Part 5
What do you think is the most important trait of a disciple of Jesus? My selection of the picture above could give the idea that I think a small group discussion is most important. While I think those kinds of bible studies or accountability groups or discussions are really important, there is another trait thatContinue reading “The most important trait of a disciple of Jesus? – 2 Samuel 22, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 