Steven Wales

Men Prefer Justice, But God Prefers Mercy Because He is God and Not a Man. Hosea 11:9.

Pictured: “The Death of Socrates,” by Jacques-Louis David, 1787. Socrates was convicted of “corrupting the youth of Athens” because he asked hard questions about the Greek gods they all served. In the painting, Socrates, who is still teaching, bravely faces his sentence of death by hemlock tea, while his admirers and students look on inContinue reading “Men Prefer Justice, But God Prefers Mercy Because He is God and Not a Man. Hosea 11:9.”

“My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge” Hosea 4:6.

On the day you were born, our society began pushing knowledge and education on you: Knowledge is Power. Readers are Leaders. Teach a Man to Fish … But to whom does that apply? Does everyone need education? Yes. Everyone needs an education appropriate to the culture in which they will live. A Tibetan proverb says,Continue reading ““My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge” Hosea 4:6.”

Big Erik Won’t Be on Top Forever. Isaiah 10:15.

When I was in junior high my friend Chris got jumped by a kid named Mike at the 7-11. The two were in the grass outside the store fighting when Big Erik, a much larger, much older boy came along and attacked Mike. Fortunately for Chris, he happened to be losing that particular fight. BigContinue reading “Big Erik Won’t Be on Top Forever. Isaiah 10:15.”

The Fear of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 28:15.

Image: the famous “Earthrise” photo captured by the crew of Apollo 8 on Christmas Eve, 1968. Part One: a Challenge to Put Some Effort into Your Bible Reading. Most of us believe we ought to read the Bible. Many of us start. But finishing is a real challenge and a significant accomplishment. The Good Book,Continue reading “The Fear of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 28:15.”

HOPE REMAINS. Amos 9:13-15.

My elementary school selected well-behaved sixth graders to serve as “patrols.” Their main duty was to stand on the curbs and use flags to control traffic before and after school. But patrols also had hall monitoring duties for those who showed up early. Early arrivals were supposed to sit behind the line and behave calmly.Continue reading “HOPE REMAINS. Amos 9:13-15.”

God Bless Our Preachers and Teachers. Jonah 1 and 2.

A pastor’s life is not an easy one. Here’s a typical day for one pastor I know: up at 5 to spend time with the Lord, head to the gym at 6 where he spends 30 minutes swimming laps, then runs and lifts weights. He is in the office by 8 and has meetings allContinue reading “God Bless Our Preachers and Teachers. Jonah 1 and 2.”

Victory is Not Without Risk. 2 Kings 15:5.

Painting: “King Uzziah Stricken With Leprosy,” by Rembrandt, 1635. Uzziah was a farmer, war hero, inventor, and king. He lived a rich, successful, creative life. But his successes were not without risk. But what possible risk accompanies success? Uzziah was crowned king at the tender age of 16, 2 Kings 15:2. The young man wasContinue reading “Victory is Not Without Risk. 2 Kings 15:5.”

How Do I Get My Children to Follow the Lord? 2 Chronicles 24:24-25.

What do most immigrants to the United States want their children to do? Go to med school, of course! The idea has become such a stereotype, standup comics make millions telling jokes about it. But the stereotype is not untrue. Parents of every stripe, of every American ethnicity and culture have imagined their children asContinue reading “How Do I Get My Children to Follow the Lord? 2 Chronicles 24:24-25.”

How Far Would You Go to Become King? History Indicates Some People Will Do Anything for Power. 2 Kings 11: 2-3.

Obi Wan Kenobi says of Mos Eisley Spaceport: “You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious.” As in all space movies, what’s true in outer space is true on earth. It is true of America. Of my city and yours: We must be cautious. Jesus said itContinue reading “How Far Would You Go to Become King? History Indicates Some People Will Do Anything for Power. 2 Kings 11: 2-3.”

I Dreamed That God Was Coming to Judge My Enemies. And I Was Happy! Amos 2:5.

One Sunday morning Jesus appeared in all the churches. He showed up simultaneously on a million big screens. Some churches were in the middle of a song when his face popped up and the music went quiet, like someone had unplugged all the cords at the sound booth. Bands and singers across America stopped singing,Continue reading “I Dreamed That God Was Coming to Judge My Enemies. And I Was Happy! Amos 2:5.”