My granddaughter Lily is eleven months old, crawling all over the place and climbing stairs. She especially loves to do everything her older three-year old brother is doing. The other day her brother Luke and I were playing with wooden trains, building a track layout on the floor. Lily crawled right into the middle ofContinue reading “Jesus’ grand welcome – Advent Peace, Part 3”
Tag Archives: relationships
Have you ever been on the outs with someone? – Advent Peace, Part 1
It’s that time of year when Christmas cards come flooding in. Have you been sending and receiving them? Last year when my in-laws’ 2023 Christmas card came, I noticed something very interesting about the accompanying letter. They gave an update about everyone in the family, except me and one of my brothers-in-law. They named everyContinue reading “Have you ever been on the outs with someone? – Advent Peace, Part 1”
We long for peace in a fraught world – Advent Peace, Preview
This past week I received the following text messages, each from a different person. Do you see a theme? “Prayer request: feeling pretty overwhelmed this week with everything going on, having a hard time managing stress.” “I’m at urgent care now. Been having tightness/pain/gas build-up(?) on the left side of my chest on and offContinue reading “We long for peace in a fraught world – Advent Peace, Preview”
With friends like these, who needs enemies? – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 4
Think about a time when a friend betrayed you. Maybe they lied to you. Maybe they knew you were struggling with a difficult situation in life, and they didn’t care for you. Betrayal is part and parcel of humanity. More than likely, we ourselves have done our fair share of betraying. We can think ofContinue reading “With friends like these, who needs enemies? – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 4”
The critical factor that can keep us from following good advice – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 2
Where do you get wise advice? Do you have trusted friends? Maybe a therapist? Do you view authors or commentators as sources of quality perspective? Lately I’ve been deeply impressed with Ted Gioia. I also appreciate the wisdom of numerous close friends. But it is my wife who, on a daily basis, shines with herContinue reading “The critical factor that can keep us from following good advice – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 2”
How to handle betrayal and insult – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 1
Life has taken a dramatic turn for the worst for King David. His son Absalom has rebelled and set in motion a plan to usurp the throne. Fearing the worst, David and his faithful followers flee the city. At the end of 2 Samuel chapter 15, though David is on the run and seriously grievingContinue reading “How to handle betrayal and insult – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 1”
Why do some close friendships fade? – 2 Samuel 16—20, Preview
This year I turned 50, and my wife posted on her social media about my birthday. I don’t use social media, so she showed me all the people who commented with their greetings. One was a friend from high school. He is the only one of many friends from high school that I have stayedContinue reading “Why do some close friendships fade? – 2 Samuel 16—20, Preview”
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”
When drama erupts in David’s family – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Part 4
Tamar sees the lust in her half-brother Amnon’s eyes, and she feels his tight grip around her. She is scared and as we learned in the previous post, Tamar makes a desperate plea for marriage. Does it work? In 2 Samuel 13, verse 14, we read “But he refused to listen to her, and since heContinue reading “When drama erupts in David’s family – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Part 4”
People of God act to decrease drama – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15 – Part 2
In some cultures, particularly in the ancient world, kings sometimes purge their nations of any contenders to the throne. Some even have members of their own extended family killed, just to preserve their lineage. That kind of purge is the epitome of family drama. In 2 Samuel 9, however, David does the opposite. David isContinue reading “People of God act to decrease drama – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15 – Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 