Steven Wales

Psalms & Hymns Teach the Faith and Encourage Worship. Psalm 132.

Maybe I watched too much television as a child. In fact, I’m sure I did. I even watched the commercials. And I still remember so many TV commercial jingles: My bologna has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R … Gillette, the best a man can get! Raise your hand if you’re Sure! Be all that youContinue reading “Psalms & Hymns Teach the Faith and Encourage Worship. Psalm 132.”

Charles Spurgeon Calls Men to Christ With a Sermon on Psalm 130:3-4.

The great preacher of Victorian London was Charles Haddon Spurgeon. You might think of him as the Billy Graham of the 19th century. He began preaching at 19 and “quickly gained a reputation as an electrifying preacher. Spurgeon’s sermons were characterized by their passion, wit, and biblical depth, and he was able to connect withContinue reading “Charles Spurgeon Calls Men to Christ With a Sermon on Psalm 130:3-4.”

When it Rains, it Pours. Psalm 129.

When three or four bad things happen in a row, Americans trot out the old cliché, “When it rains, it pours.” This rich line was not created in any of the usual organic ways—as a famous line in a novel, song, play, or film, or perhaps spoken by a politician or celebrity. This pithy proverbContinue reading “When it Rains, it Pours. Psalm 129.”

Shadows, Figures, Analogies. The Earthly Temple is a Frontier Outpost. Hebrews 9:24.

The week of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ included some of the most mysterious events in all of Biblical history.[1] One that must have been shocking was that the veil of the temple was split from top to bottom. This was not just some gauzy curtain of sheer linen, the tearing of which youContinue reading “Shadows, Figures, Analogies. The Earthly Temple is a Frontier Outpost. Hebrews 9:24.”

The Book of Job Refutes the Prosperity Gospel. Job 17.

Image: Jim Bakker in 2025. “If I want to believe God for a $65 million dollar plane, you cannot stop me.” –Creflo Dollar, as quoted in God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel: How Truth Overwhelms a Life Built on Lies, by Costi Hinn, Zondervan, 2019. It is true that we reap what we sow. SowingContinue reading “The Book of Job Refutes the Prosperity Gospel. Job 17.”

Suspicious Minds. 1 Chronicles 19.

We can’t go on togetherWith suspicious minds (with suspicious minds)And we can’t build our dreamsOn suspicious minds–“Suspicious Minds,” written and recorded by Mark James (made famous by Elvis Presley). Following the death of Charlie Kirk, some of Kirk’s fans immediately began to “question the narrative.” Having watched the video, they insisted Kirk was shot notContinue reading “Suspicious Minds. 1 Chronicles 19.”

King Solomon and the Oops Babies. 1 Chronicles 2 and 3.

Shakespeare’s KING LEAR includes an interesting subplot. Edmund, the son of the wealthy and powerful Earl of Gloucester, is not an heir to the Earl because the Earl was not married to Edmund’s mother. The Earl had had an affair. Thus, Edmund’s half-brother Edgar is the heir. Edmund bitterly resents the stigma of illegitimacy andContinue reading “King Solomon and the Oops Babies. 1 Chronicles 2 and 3.”

Word of the Day: SHIBBOLETH. Judges 12.

Image. Print for sale here: https://www.etsy.com/il-en/listing/1866609281/houston-street-art-print-manhattan New York City has a great shibboleth. Locals can instantly tell a tourist from a native by hearing them pronounce one of the prominent streets in Manhattan: HOUSTON STREET. Tourists will pronounce it like the city in Texas, “HUGHES-tun,” while the locals pronounce it “HOUSE-tun.” “Shibboleth” is one ofContinue reading “Word of the Day: SHIBBOLETH. Judges 12.”

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle. Judges 5.

You have probably heard the expression, the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. The cliché is so popular, there is even a 1992 movie called The Hand that Rocks the Cradle. The idea is that women rule the world. More specifically, mothers rule the world. After all, mothers are the first and arguablyContinue reading “The Hand that Rocks the Cradle. Judges 5.”

Organizational Leadership: Pray for Pastors! Judges 1.

The company I work for was started by Joe D. some 75 years ago. By the time I was hired, the baton had been passed to Joe’s son, Jim D. Jim was a slight, white-haired man. He was extremely nice, a great storyteller, and a talented networker. Mr. D. had powerful friends all over Texas.Continue reading “Organizational Leadership: Pray for Pastors! Judges 1.”