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”
Tag Archives: worship
What should Christians say as their last words? – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 5
If you have the opportunity to say last words, just before you die, what would you say? Think about the gravity of the moment. Likely, your family will be around you. They will remember your last words probably more than anything you ever said to them. Your last words will be famous to them, lockedContinue reading “What should Christians say as their last words? – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 5”
What a keyboard taught me about the nature of sacrifice – 2 Samuel 24, Part 4
My church has a history of renting space in our building to other churches. In late 2018, sadly, one of those rental churches dwindled in size, and they decided to disband as a church. The remaining members formed a house church, and they gave away their assets. They gave our congregation a large financial donationContinue reading “What a keyboard taught me about the nature of sacrifice – 2 Samuel 24, Part 4”
What to do when life feels hopeless – Advent Hope, Part 4
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. My favorite Old Testament minor prophet is Habakkuk. Habakkuk had a message of hope from God for people, but Habakkuk’s message doesn’t start out very hopeful. Here’s how Habakkuk begins,Continue reading “What to do when life feels hopeless – Advent Hope, Part 4”
That time God gave King David FOUR superpowers – 2 Samuel 22, Part 4
Did you know that God gave King David super powers? This week we’re studying 2 Samuel 22, and in the verses we’re looking at today, David is focused on super power. As we observe 2 Samuel 22, our guide is Old Testament scholar David Dorsey. Dorsey notes that 2 Samuel 22 (repeated as Psalm 18)Continue reading “That time God gave King David FOUR superpowers – 2 Samuel 22, Part 4”
One important reason we regularly gather for worship – 2 Samuel 22, Part 3
After decades of drama, war, and turmoil, the great King David of Israel finally has peace. In 2 Samuel 22, he is so happy, and he breaks out in song to God. In today’s post, and the next two, we’ll observe how David crafts his song using chiastic structure (which I introduced in the previousContinue reading “One important reason we regularly gather for worship – 2 Samuel 22, Part 3”
The three songs in Samuel – 2 Samuel 22, Part 1
We’ve been studying the life of David a long time. We started this sermon series in 2024, about eight months ago. The first sermon was about 1st Samuel chapter 1, verse 1, through chapter 2, verse 11. You can read the first post in that series here, or look it up in your Bible. ThatContinue reading “The three songs in Samuel – 2 Samuel 22, Part 1”
The intersection of generosity and gratitude – 2 Samuel 22, Preview
It’s Thanksgiving Week! As I write this, yesterday was Lancaster’s annual Extra Give, a one-day explosion of generosity for over 400 non-profit organizations in our county. I love that the Extra Give is always so close to Thanksgiving, because it seems to me that the two days go hand in hand. When we give, weContinue reading “The intersection of generosity and gratitude – 2 Samuel 22, Preview”
Why God was okay living in a tent the size of a two-car garage – 2 Samuel 7, Part 1
After years of waiting, running, hiding, and battling, David is king of all Israel. He has conquered Jerusalem, built a palace there, and brought the Ark of the Covenant into the city. And yet, in the middle of all that blessing from God, David is unsettled. Maybe you’ve had that feeling after a very busyContinue reading “Why God was okay living in a tent the size of a two-car garage – 2 Samuel 7, Part 1”
What does it mean to be “undignified” in worship? – 2 Samuel 6, Bonus Post
In 2 Samuel 6, David’s wife, Michal, confronts him, accusing him of “undignified” worship. David responds saying, “I will be even more undignified than this.” What is “undignified” worship? My opinion is that David is not suggesting that wild dancing is the only way to worship God when a group of Christians comes together forContinue reading “What does it mean to be “undignified” in worship? – 2 Samuel 6, Bonus Post”
Engaging Scripture 