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”
Tag Archives: relationships
The perfect cover-up for sin? – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 2
David is in a terrible spot of his own making. He has slept with one of his soldier’s wives, and now she is pregnant. How will this king who is known as “the man after God’s own heart” react? In 2 Samuel 11, verses 6-9, David concocts a plan: “So David sent this word toContinue reading “The perfect cover-up for sin? – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 2”
Why it is so good to be wrong – How to interact with people who view the world differently from you, Part 4
So what does it look like to do all to the glory of God when we are interacting with people with whom we disagree? It is clearly putting God first. But how? In 1st Corinthians chapter 8, verse 9, Paul writes, “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumblingContinue reading “Why it is so good to be wrong – How to interact with people who view the world differently from you, Part 4”
A clash of cultures in the church – How to interact with people who view the world differently than you, Part 2
As I mentioned in the previous post, 1st Corinthians Paul brings up an issue that was dividing the Corinthian church. Some were okay with the issue, some were not okay, and people were offended. What was this offensive issue? Here’s what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 8:1-8, “Now about food sacrificed to idols: We knowContinue reading “A clash of cultures in the church – How to interact with people who view the world differently than you, Part 2”
The important difference between unity and uniformity – How to interact with people who view the world differently than you, Part 1
A couple years ago, I think it was in 2020 or 2021, I proposed the idea that some members of my extended family listen to the podcast, Seeing White. The goal was to listen to one episode per week, and then discuss it together on a group text message chat. I suggested this idea becauseContinue reading “The important difference between unity and uniformity – How to interact with people who view the world differently than you, Part 1”
What love is – Reflecting God, Part 4
Note: In this post we welcome guest blogger, David Hundert. David is studying in Kairos University – Evangelical Seminary’s Master of Divinity program. As we learned in the previous post, love is at the heart of what Jesus called the Old Testament’s two greatest commandments. How can we practice that kind of love? What doesContinue reading “What love is – Reflecting God, Part 4”
We are restored for mission – John 21, Part 5
Jesus responded to Peter’s three denials by with three restorations. Though Peter had committed a terrible offense to Jesus, Jesus does not see Peter as beyond help. Do you see what this means? You are not beyond God’s love and forgiveness. You are not beyond God’s redemption. You are loved and forgiven. God can redeemContinue reading “We are restored for mission – John 21, Part 5”
How Jesus responds to the fact that one of his best friends disowned him at the moment of his greatest need – John 21, Part 4
When Peter denied Jesus, has Peter lost his position as leader? Is Peter qualified to be one of the 12 disciples anymore? When you deny your Lord, haven’t you committed the unforgivable sin? What Peter did was extremely significant, and not in a good way. Now Jesus addresses the elephant in the room, the factContinue reading “How Jesus responds to the fact that one of his best friends disowned him at the moment of his greatest need – John 21, Part 4”
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”
The elephant in Jesus’ room – John 21, Part 1
You know that phrase, “the elephant in the room”? It refers to the idea that there is something that everyone knows about, but no one is talking about it. Imagine you’re walking through the mall, and there is a literal elephant walking down the large mall hallways. But as you’re walking what if no oneContinue reading “The elephant in Jesus’ room – John 21, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 