Pictured: a crown of thorns made from Greenberg vine. Most obvious lesson learned? In spite of hundreds of paintings to the contrary, said crown must be green. Dried, brown vines cannot be twisted into a crown without breaking. Do you recognize the subject of these verses from Isaiah? “The Spirit of the Lord is uponContinue reading “About Whom Do These Verses Speak? Isaiah 49-61.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
MAMA TALKS ABOUT DEATH. Ecclesiastes 7:1-4.
My mother has always spoken quite casually of her own death. When I was about 12 she said, “I don’t care what you do with my body. When I die, you can just put me in the trash can and drag me out to the curb.” Honestly, I have always found her attitude bold, courageous,Continue reading “MAMA TALKS ABOUT DEATH. Ecclesiastes 7:1-4.”
Feel Good About Your Work, Achievements, Skills, and Talents. Genesis 1:4.
When I taught high school, I remember being chastised by my students. I was talking about being aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses: “For example, I know that I write well. But I don’t always listen well—” “Wow, Mr. Wales. That’s pretty arrogant, don’t you think?” “What? Saying that I write well?” “Yes. That’s soContinue reading “Feel Good About Your Work, Achievements, Skills, and Talents. Genesis 1:4.”
The Bible is the OWNER’S MANUAL for Life. Proverbs 1-4.
When you have car problems, the answers are in the owner’s manual, right? Everything is there: how to change a tire, battery maintenance, oil changes, weather issues, repairs, everything. The Bible is the OWNER’S MANUAL for life. Consider Proverbs: That is so much good advice! I read all of that this morning in the firstContinue reading “The Bible is the OWNER’S MANUAL for Life. Proverbs 1-4.”
Athletic Gifts and Fitness Come From God. 2 Samuel 22:8-18, 30-40.
Pictured: Marshall Wales, NCAA Division 1 playoffs, spring of 2023. Sam Houston vs. Oregon State. God is the first and greatest athlete. Don’t think so? What weight can He not lift? What speed can He not travel? What target will He fail to hit? Surely the best-known athlete in the Bible is David. And DavidContinue reading “Athletic Gifts and Fitness Come From God. 2 Samuel 22:8-18, 30-40.”
He Hears Your Voice. Psalm 55.
God hears. No matter what day, no matter what is going on. No matter what you have done—God hears. Take your complaints, your hurt, your fear, and broken heart to God. He hears you. He loves you. He will deliver you. When David was upset and afraid, he wrote Psalm 55. “But I call toContinue reading “He Hears Your Voice. Psalm 55.”
Horoscopes, Palm Readers, Fortune Tellers. 1 Samuel 28:11-20.
These things seem like harmless fun. But there’s a reason the Bible forbids them. The answers they provide can be convincing because your enemy (1) knows you and (2) has some knowledge of the future. With that combination, a psychic or a fortune teller can be so persuasive. But these people get their “answers” fromContinue reading “Horoscopes, Palm Readers, Fortune Tellers. 1 Samuel 28:11-20.”
RESCUE. Psalm 18.
Pictured: Guard House for lifeguards on Miami Beach. Once in Maine, my father and I were standing on a pier talking to someone. My six-year-old brother Dennis was swimming in the lake. He was trying to get into an inner tube. But when he swam up to it, another boy was in it. Dennis seemedContinue reading “RESCUE. Psalm 18.”
The Prayers of King David. Various Psalms.
Long before he was king, David wrote psalms (poetry and songs) reflecting on the years he spent as a fugitive, hunted by King Saul. David is a rich example of godly manhood–he makes mistakes, of course. But the man is unusually well-adjusted. He is courageous but sensitive, bold but vulnerable, strong but compassionate. This warriorContinue reading “The Prayers of King David. Various Psalms.”
DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN? Judges 2:10-12,14.
When I was a child in Sunday school, I always wondered what went wrong? We would read about Adam and Eve, the way they walked with God in the garden. But in a few generations, people were so evil, God chose to flood the earth and start over. Then Noah and his three sons andContinue reading “DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN? Judges 2:10-12,14.”
Household Words: 