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”
Tag Archives: rejoice
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”
How to have and express joy in the difficulties of 2020 – Ecclesiastes 8:9-15, Part 3
It can seem almost wrong to say that we should have joy in 2020. This year has been a nonstop slog of hardship. And yet, in the previous post we learned that God is and always will be actively involved in the world. As a result, it makes perfect sense how the Teacher concludes thisContinue reading “How to have and express joy in the difficulties of 2020 – Ecclesiastes 8:9-15, Part 3”
Make the choice to rejoice – Acts 16, Part 5
Our study through Acts 16 has been filled with drama, and in the final verses, 35-40, there’s one more dramatic loose end to tie up. Though the local magistrates give Paul and Silas their freedom, Paul says, “No. We’re staying.” What? He voluntarily stays in prison? Why? Paul is making a point, letting the magistratesContinue reading “Make the choice to rejoice – Acts 16, Part 5”
A Christmas Surprise [Fourth Sunday of Advent]
Today we’re going to meet shepherds. But as I studied these passages, what emerged was something surprising, something unexpected! During Advent, we have been following the readings in the Lectionary, and our first passage is Micah 5:2-5a. Micah gives us in verse 2 a prophecy of a future ruler who would come to rule overContinue reading “A Christmas Surprise [Fourth Sunday of Advent]”
Celebrating with aliens, the fatherless and widows [God’s heart for the holidays, part 5]
In this series of posts, we are seeking to learn God’s heart for the holidays in Deuteronomy 16, through three feasts he asks Israel to keep every year. In the previous few posts, God expresses his heart for remembering, and in this fifth and final post, we’re going to look at two more themes. TheContinue reading “Celebrating with aliens, the fatherless and widows [God’s heart for the holidays, part 5]”
Engaging Scripture 