This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 30 years who now works in international fair trade. A couple years ago, I reached a direction-changing point in my ministry career. Some things that I had worked very hard on for a long time, and that I hadContinue reading “How to put our hope in the right things – Advent Hope, Part 3”
Tag Archives: sadness
How to pray when you’re down – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Part 2
The ancient Hebrews often uses parallel structures in their writing, and we see it throughout the Hebrew Bible, which we call the Old Testament. It seems that Psalm 30 was written with one of those structures. Here’s the way they work. The opening matches the closing. The second main point matches the second to lastContinue reading “How to pray when you’re down – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Part 2”
Hope for the condemned – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 2
What do you do when you feel the anxiety and the pain and the stress of condemnation from people? Other people can sure be condemning, can’t they? Maybe you have a family member, a co-worker, or a classmate that is like that. They might even be a church member, someone you would call a friend,Continue reading “Hope for the condemned – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 2”
Why I like weddings better than funerals, and why I might be wrong – Ecclesiastes 7:1-14, Part 2
I like weddings more than funerals. At a wedding there is excitement and joy and dancing. At a funeral, while there is sometimes laughter remembering stories about the deceased, and while there can be joy that the person is suffering no more and is at home with the Lord, let’s face it that funerals areContinue reading “Why I like weddings better than funerals, and why I might be wrong – Ecclesiastes 7:1-14, Part 2”
A healthy way to face bitterness and loss – Characters: Ruth, Part 3
Have you ever been bitter and angry about the pain that life has brought your way. If so, you’re not alone. So often we are dealt a horrible hand, and at no fault of our own, we are faced with loss, ruin, or sickness. In those moments, bitterness can take root. Maybe its not you.Continue reading “A healthy way to face bitterness and loss – Characters: Ruth, Part 3”
Feeling low this Christmas?
Fear. Sadness. Longing. Disappointment. Loneliness. Are you feeling any of these emotions lately? It seems like the world can be a dark place. Even at this most joyous time of the year, we can feel low. As we look around our lives, our culture, and our planet, we can have a distinct impression that thingsContinue reading “Feeling low this Christmas?”
Engaging Scripture 