Today we start a study through the New Testament book titled 1st Thessalonians. What is 1st Thessalonians? Turn to Acts 17, because there’s a back story we need to hear if we want to answer the question “What is 1st Thessalonians?” In Acts 17, the Christian church is only about 20 years old. What JesusContinue reading “A new house church network begins, and right away there is trouble – 1 Thessalonians 1:1–3, Part 1”
Tag Archives: spirituality
Maybe all Christians need to attend a pastoral assessment center – 1 Thessalonians 1:1–3, Preview
My denomination, the Evangelical Congregational Church (ECC), has something I love called the Pastoral Assessment Center (PAC). The PAC is one of the early steps a pastoral couple or single attends on the road to becoming a licensed pastor in the ECC. When my wife and I started at Faith Church in October 2002, IContinue reading “Maybe all Christians need to attend a pastoral assessment center – 1 Thessalonians 1:1–3, Preview”
We all need to have our hearts broken – David’s heart after God, Part 5
Have you ever had your heart broken? Maybe the other person cheated. Maybe the other person terminated the relationship. Maybe they moved away. Maybe they lied. There are loads of reasons for a broken heart when you are in love. In today’s post, we’re going to learn that we all need our hearts broken. ButContinue reading “We all need to have our hearts broken – David’s heart after God, Part 5”
What I learned from a Shakespeare class about God’s word – David’s heart after God, Part 4
For my undergraduate studies, I attended a Bible college, so it might surprise you that my top five classes included a class that wasn’t specifically related to Bible, theology, or ministry. One of my top five was Shakespeare. For that class, we read something like five of his plays. Also, my professor, Dr. Joan Tompkins,Continue reading “What I learned from a Shakespeare class about God’s word – David’s heart after God, Part 4”
What to do when your heart is filled with fear and pain – David’s heart after God, Part 3
You’re getting old, wrinkly, flabby? Fear not! “Just purchase our wonder cream to help your skin, and you’ll be young again in no time.” You feeling uncertain about finances in the future? Fear not! “Just contact our investment firm, and we will get you ready.” You feeling stressed out by the pressures of life? FearContinue reading “What to do when your heart is filled with fear and pain – David’s heart after God, Part 3”
The active life choices of a heart like God’s – David’s heart after God, Part 2
David’s psalms are like his personal prayer journal. When you put them together, we can learn a lot about what David thought. In the rest of the posts this week, we’re going to look at how David writes about the heart in his psalms. Through David’s comments on the heart, we will learn more aboutContinue reading “The active life choices of a heart like God’s – David’s heart after God, Part 2”
What phrase best describes Israel’s great king David? (And what did he think about that phrase?)
If you had to describe Israel’s great king David in one phrase, what would it be? Since April 2024, as we worked our way through the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel, concluding last week with David’s passing in 1st Kings chapters 1 and 2, we have observed David’s messy, dramatic, and utterly fascinating life. Numerous timesContinue reading “What phrase best describes Israel’s great king David? (And what did he think about that phrase?)”
The messiness of vague succession – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 3
Succession is often messy. The transfer of power from one leader to the next is fraught with emotions of uncertainty and fear, particularly when the outgoing leader has been in charge for a longtime and is beloved. Succession is also difficult when there is only a vague plan for succession. I am writing this postContinue reading “The messiness of vague succession – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 3”
Asking questions: a helpful model for confronting others – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 2
I hate confrontation. When I have to say something the least bit confrontational to a person, I get shaky and nervous and often say far less than I ought to. Do you know the feeling? I suspect that the majority of people do not enjoy confrontation, even those who are confident enough to confront. IContinue reading “Asking questions: a helpful model for confronting others – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 2”
David is cold, can’t get warm. What his attendants do to help him is a shocker. (Or is it?) – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 1
My wife recently purchased a new comforter for our bed. The floral print on the comforter is very nice, and the comforter stuffing is fluffy. It’s a great-looking comforter. It is not a warm comforter. We heat our home with a wood stove, which is located in our living room. We love our wood stove.Continue reading “David is cold, can’t get warm. What his attendants do to help him is a shocker. (Or is it?) – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 