In the Book of Revelation, Jesus dictates letters to seven young churches in modern-day Turkey. Jesus says that the church in Ephesus has done many things well, but “you have lost your first love” Revelation 2:4. What can you do if you have lost your first love? What is the solution? The loss of firstContinue reading “Have You Lost Your First Love? Don’t Give Up! 2 Chronicles 31:4-8.”
Tag Archives: bible
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.”
Spiritualism, Mediums, and the Occult. 2 Kings 1:6.
I found these business offerings on Yelp: Palm readers. Tarot cards. Ouija board readings. Crystal balls. Horoscopes. Hypnosis. Supernatural Readings. Psychic Consultants. Witchery. Manifesting with a Life Coach. Conjuring. Voodoo. These businesses thrive in our modern world. In an age of Enlightenment and Science, you might have guessed these relics of an age ofContinue reading “Spiritualism, Mediums, and the Occult. 2 Kings 1:6.”
The Inauguration and the Wisdom of Solomon: 2 Chronicles 1:8-10.
One of my friends from law school founded a politically oriented non-profit and was invited to attend the inauguration this week. He took his three teenaged children and his mother and even the kids seemed to understand that this was the trip of a lifetime. I have followed his posts on Facebook, and Jonathan, wearingContinue reading “The Inauguration and the Wisdom of Solomon: 2 Chronicles 1:8-10.”
Give God Your Heart and Every Emotion You Find Therein. Psalm 88: a Paraphrase.
Psalm 88. —By Heman, son of Korah, of the tribe of Levi, servant to King David. Oh, God who saves! I’ve been crying to you day and night! Listen to me! My soul is filled with trouble. I can feel my life slipping toward the grave. I’m as good as dead. Might as well callContinue reading “Give God Your Heart and Every Emotion You Find Therein. Psalm 88: a Paraphrase.”
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.”
Introduction to Psalms: The Song Book That Teaches You How to Relate to God. Psalm 23:2.
As a young college student, I once had a conversation with both an Old Testament professor and the dean of our humanities department. I wanted to build a research paper around the works of C.S. Lewis. The dean spoke up: “Well, I don’t know.” He looked at the Old Testament professor. “I think Lewis isContinue reading “Introduction to Psalms: The Song Book That Teaches You How to Relate to God. Psalm 23:2.”
NO SMALL PARTS: David Served God’s Purpose in His Generation. 1 Chronicles chapters 23 – 27.
God had a purpose for the life of David—I’m sure we can all agree on that. But what about you and me? Does God have a purpose for folks living seemingly ordinary lives in which nothing much ever happens? After all, David was a king—he made the headlines every day. Most of us will neverContinue reading “NO SMALL PARTS: David Served God’s Purpose in His Generation. 1 Chronicles chapters 23 – 27.”
Prophets and Parables: the Indirect Approach. 2 Samuel 14:1-13.
Following King David’s great sin, the prophet Nathan came to him with a story about a rich man with flocks of sheep who took from a poor family its lone, pet sheep and ate it. David was outraged and Nathan famously said to him: “Thou art the man” 2 Samuel 12:7. Why did Nathan createContinue reading “Prophets and Parables: the Indirect Approach. 2 Samuel 14:1-13.”
Household Words: 