Advent, Week 1: Psalm 112, Part 5 How much of your gift-giving this Christmas will be lavishing gifts on people who already have all their needs met? I will love the gifts I receive at Christmas, but I can tell you very honestly that I don’t need a single Christmas gift. I want them. ItContinue reading “Gift giving that makes a difference”
Tag Archives: wisdom
Ancient wisdom for the dark times in life
Advent 2025, Week 1: Psalm 112, Part 4 When we are in dark, difficult situations, we are often self-focused, wallowing in our misfortune and hurt. It is not wrong to sit with our pain. In fact sitting in our pain is needed for a time. As I mentioned in the previous post, when we feelContinue reading “Ancient wisdom for the dark times in life”
Mighty children and fabulous wealth
Advent 2025, Week 1: Psalm 112, Part 3 Two of the primary hopes parents long for is (1) that their children do well, and (2) that they have enough money to provide for their kids. Parents can expend mountains of emotional energy on these two important concerns throughout the parenting years, and even long afterContinue reading “Mighty children and fabulous wealth”
How fearing God can be a delight
Advent 2025, Week 1: Psalm 112, Part 2 Have you heard of the fashion brand Fear of God? It is a curious name for a clothing company. Company founder Jerry Lorenzo says that the name, “…‘Fear of God’ evokes a sense of reverence, acknowledging the Christian upbringing of Lorenzo’s youth. Representing the influence of faithContinue reading “How fearing God can be a delight”
What parents can learn about worship from youth sports
Advent 2025, Week 1: Psalm 112, Part 1 My wife and I have four children who played a variety of sports through the years. We learned that school athletic departments don’t ask parents for family schedules before arranging the sports calendar. There were sports seasons where we had four kids on four different teams, andContinue reading “What parents can learn about worship from youth sports”
When do you draw the line with a difficult employee, friend or family member? – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 4
Have you ever faced the difficult, emotional experience of firing an employee? Or perhaps you’ve had to place boundaries on a relationship? In the business world, a boss might want to avoid the pain of firing an employee who needs to be fired. In Christian communities, the theology of love and grace is deeply rootedContinue reading “When do you draw the line with a difficult employee, friend or family member? – 1 Kings 1—2, 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”
David’s example of trusting in God, when God’s instructions made little sense – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 4
During Israel’s civil war, the Philistines were content to let the Israelites fight amongst themselves. But when David becomes king of a unified nation, they take notice. Why? Because about ten years prior, David was their nemesis. He killed the Philistine hero Goliath, and then David just kept beating them. But things changed when SaulContinue reading “David’s example of trusting in God, when God’s instructions made little sense – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 4”
Three steps for making wise choices – 1st Samuel 23 & 24, Part 5
We started this week’s series of posts by considering the difficult decisions we all make. Whether rare consequential decisions or frequent minor decisions, decision-making can be anxiety-inducing. As we observed David’s decision-making process in 1st Samuel chapters 23 and 24, what did we learn? First, while David didn’t have a Bible to consult, he hadContinue reading “Three steps for making wise choices – 1st Samuel 23 & 24, Part 5”
My favorite book about decision-making and the will of God – 1st Samuel 23 & 24, Preview
My wife Michelle and I started dating in college, and as we were becoming more serious, my thoughts turned to marriage. But one nagging concern I had was how could I be sure that she was “the one”? Might it be possible that God wanted me to marry someone else? I talked about it withContinue reading “My favorite book about decision-making and the will of God – 1st Samuel 23 & 24, Preview”
Engaging Scripture 