Trust & Obey, Week 2: Matthew 16 & 18, Part 2 As a pastor of twenty-three years, I’ve had some surprising experiences during worship services. For example, one time a wasp landed right on my Bible as I was preaching! People seated close to the front saw it all. I swatted at it, and itContinue reading “Jesus’ two surprising teachings about church”
Tag Archives: reconciliation
How David’s dysfunctional family teaches us about love, boundaries, and deflating drama – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Part 5
In 2 Samuel chapter 15, David’s son Absalom is scheming again. This time he has his sights on the biggest prize. The throne. In verses 1-6, Absalom starts acting and talking to people like a king would act and talk. He rides a chariot with an entourage. He pronounces rulings by the city gate. HeContinue reading “How David’s dysfunctional family teaches us about love, boundaries, and deflating drama – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Part 5”
How to be truly sorry, even when you don’t feel like it – 2 Samuel 2:9—3:39, Part 5
This week on the blog, we’ve been studying the tragic events of a civil war in ancient Israel, and of palace intrigue that led to murder. Think about the numerous themes in these chapters. Weak versus strong leadership. The downfall brought about by fear and jealousy. Of course, lying, deceit and murder. What weContinue reading “How to be truly sorry, even when you don’t feel like it – 2 Samuel 2:9—3:39, Part 5”
The Bible’s helpful teachings about confronting others – Holding others accountable, Part 4
I hate confrontation. I think most people also hate confrontation. When I have to confront someone, I can delay and avoid like a champ. Then when I can wait no longer, and the confrontation actually happens, I can say far less than I ought to have said. My emotions and fears take over. I can physically shake. I hate it. But ifContinue reading “The Bible’s helpful teachings about confronting others – Holding others accountable, Part 4”
Why humility, teachability and the Korean concept of Han are vital to confession – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 5
As we learned in the previous post, when we confess our sins, we are trusting in God. But there’s more. When we confess our sins, here is what we are to do next, as David writes in Psalm 32, verses 8-9, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; IContinue reading “Why humility, teachability and the Korean concept of Han are vital to confession – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 5”
Your mistakes do not define you – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 4
Confession is not easy. We can rebel at the thought of admitting even the smallest mistakes. So to help us learn how to confess, David concludes with some instruction in Psalm 32. Here is what we should do. First, in verse 6. “Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found;Continue reading “Your mistakes do not define you – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 4”
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”
The elephant in Jesus’ room… revealed – John 21, Part 3
I purposefully skipped a detail in my telling of the story of Jesus’ ministry years in the previous post. It’s an important part of the story. It’s the elephant in the room we’ve been talking about this week (see first post here). The elephant is about Peter. Back in chapter 13 we listened as JesusContinue reading “The elephant in Jesus’ room… revealed – John 21, Part 3”
When we behave badly and don’t want to admit it – John 21, Preview
We were in the mouth of the goal, and the guy next to me was yelling at me. He had a good reason. I had just thrown him to the ground. It was during a college soccer game with our rivals. We were vying for position on a corner kick, and the guy on theContinue reading “When we behave badly and don’t want to admit it – John 21, Preview”
Dealing with that difficult family member – John 7:1-52, Part 1
What does your Jesus box look like? You all have one. In fact, it is something that you created. It has a unique shape and size, based on what you think Jesus is like. Take a moment and think about it. What do you think Jesus is like? Is your perception of Jesus correct? AsContinue reading “Dealing with that difficult family member – John 7:1-52, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 