Everyone loves a great storyteller—and there is none greater than God himself. But the Bible is not an easy read. There are not only language challenges but also the way we tell stories has changed significantly in the last four thousand years. But the best readers can get past such challenges, and the rest ofContinue reading “He Tells the Best Stories. Esther 7:9.”
Category Archives: God is the Hero of This Story
King David Pours His Heart Out to God: Reading the Psalms as a Journal Entry.
David could hear the crowd before he could see them. The streets of Jerusalem were crowded with well-wishers, children, and families, all of them cheering. The king had seen it so many times before. He was surrounded by his people: runners out front, then his sons on black horses, and then David, riding a hugeContinue reading “King David Pours His Heart Out to God: Reading the Psalms as a Journal Entry.”
SHOCK AND AWE: the Lord in Heaven Laughs. Psalm 2.
When Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990, the world was outraged. On January 17, 1991, a coalition of 42 nations invaded Iraq in order to beat the Iraqis back into Baghdad. The people in Arabian lands have come a long way from the days of camels and tents. But Saddam wasContinue reading “SHOCK AND AWE: the Lord in Heaven Laughs. Psalm 2.”
The Bible: an Epic Adventure About a Hero Who Rescues His People! Judges 15:11.
Samson Bringing Down the Temple of Dagon, by Gustave Dore, wood engraving, 1866. Samson is the Bible’s superhero, with hair for a cape. This man can do incredible things. The Holy Spirit gave him super-human strength: “and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him” Judges 14:6. But Samson’s motives were poor. He wasContinue reading “The Bible: an Epic Adventure About a Hero Who Rescues His People! Judges 15:11.”
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.”
JUSTICE. Revelation 8:3-6.
We crave justice. The gentlest among us is stirred to anger hearing about abuse of children and all the human monsters who torture the defenseless. Who has not heard a news story and hoped bad things would happen to the criminal? Yet, we read Revelation and feel sorry for those who suffer. The book tellsContinue reading “JUSTICE. Revelation 8:3-6.”
DARKNESS. Matthew 4:16.
Our world is filled with darkness. The sin, murder, bloodshed, war, genocide, perversity…. Remember walking down Bourbon Street? Remember the way a tourist can look at it all as if it were a sideshow? To happy people from the suburbs, a walk down that street is like a walk through a zoo—danger may lurk onContinue reading “DARKNESS. Matthew 4:16.”
BEING HUMAN MEANS STORYTELLING: Esther 4:16.
Purim is the springtime celebration of the events recorded in the book of Esther. The celebration requires Jews to attend synagogue where they hear the story of Esther read aloud. Esther may be a bit long to read aloud. But tradition makes it fun: when the name of evil Haman is mentioned, the congregation drownsContinue reading “BEING HUMAN MEANS STORYTELLING: Esther 4:16.”
What’s With All These Ancestors and Family Trees? Ezra 2:59-62.
Americans do many things well: Space travel, radio and television transmissions, weather forecasting, computers, automobiles, jet flight, modern medicine, antibiotics. We have stopped polio in its tracks and rid the world of smallpox. But Ancient Israel did one thing better: RECORD KEEPING. The Bible includes the most detailed records of so many things. The writersContinue reading “What’s With All These Ancestors and Family Trees? Ezra 2:59-62.”
MOUNTAINS. Psalm 121, 125.
“I lift my eyes to the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, The Maker of Heaven and Earth.” Psalm 121:1-2. These lines are well-known. You may recognize them from various songs. They convey the idea that when you are hurting and broken, you look to the horizon, toContinue reading “MOUNTAINS. Psalm 121, 125.”
Household Words: 