In his book NARCONOMICS, economist Tom Wainwright argues that drug cartels do not necessarily have more conflicts than other businesses. But they resolve conflicts with guns because they cannot use the legal system. In other words, drug lords murder people because when a contract for illegal drugs is breached, the seller can’t file a lawsuitContinue reading “Poisonous Lawsuits. Hosea 10:4.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Jewels in My Mouth. Hosea 8:12.
When I was learning to read, I would read everything: my parents’ novels (a sentence or two was about all I could take), newspaper articles and cereal boxes at breakfast, shampoo bottles while showering, dictionaries and encyclopedias, you name it. I quickly realized there were some things I did not want to read, books asContinue reading “Jewels in My Mouth. Hosea 8:12.”
God Will Fix You. Hosea 2:6-19.
Imagine being consumed, so obsessed you can’t concentrate. Imagine being addicted. Most have been swept up in a moment that seemed impossible to resist. But if you go there often, it becomes every day, all the time. It will define you, identify you: “Hello, my name is Robert, and I am an alcoholic.” ‘Alcoholic’ isContinue reading “God Will Fix You. Hosea 2:6-19.”
He is Not Only God the Father, but GOD THE HUSBAND. Hosea 3:1.
It’s easy to consider God your heavenly Father. But can you consider Him a husband? The notion of being the “Bride of Christ” is difficult for men—and I’m not sure women find the idea easy to grasp either. Yet throughout both the Old and New Testaments, God uses marriage language to illustrate the way HeContinue reading “He is Not Only God the Father, but GOD THE HUSBAND. Hosea 3:1.”
Nourishment. Amos 8:11-12.
Most people eat constantly—and constantly think about eating. Eating is often the first thing we do in the morning and the last thing we do at night. Instead, when we wake up, we should remember our spiritual hunger. We need to consume spiritual food. Do you wake up and think about God’s word? Did youContinue reading “Nourishment. Amos 8:11-12.”
Beware This Unusual Judgment. Amos 8:11-12.
In the Old Testament God punished His people in many ways—with wars lost, enslavement, pestilence, starvation, drought. One creative punishment was silence. “Hear this! The days are coming when I will send a famine though the land: not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.Continue reading “Beware This Unusual Judgment. Amos 8:11-12.”
Living on the Edge. Amos 6:12.
If you’ve stood on the edge of a cliff, you understand the expression. We all talk about edges, about pushing things to the limit. In the book RANGER CONFIDENTIAL, Andrea Lankford reports on the deadly falls each year at the Grand Canyon and the rangers’ struggle to retrieve the bodies. Eleven fell from the edgeContinue reading “Living on the Edge. Amos 6:12.”
Don’t Despair.
When things look dark and life seems hopeless, don’t despair. Return to the simple truths. Have you ever faced a tragedy or a series of unrelenting disasters—a job loss, a car repair, a health problem, a broken appliance, the illness and death of a loved one? Sometimes when it rains it pours and life feelsContinue reading “Don’t Despair.”
Blood Moons: Prepare to Meet Your Maker.
My friend I call Conspiracy Girl thought Blood Moons were exciting because they foretold the end of time. Does Armageddon sound exciting to you? For me, 2020 was the most dystopian year EVER, and I know it’s nothing compared to the true LAST DAYS. Amos foretold doom on many nations, but saved his scariest wordsContinue reading “Blood Moons: Prepare to Meet Your Maker.”
What Sort of a Tale We’ve Fallen Into. Amos 4:13 and 5:8-9.
In THE TWO TOWERS, Samwise Gamgee (whom Tolkien later admits is the true hero in his view) muses about the nature of storytelling with Frodo. Sam suggests that readers may know what sort of ending is coming, but they would never want the characters to know. Then he asks a great question: “I wonder whatContinue reading “What Sort of a Tale We’ve Fallen Into. Amos 4:13 and 5:8-9.”
Household Words: 