Joshua chapter nine stands as an instructive cautionary tale for any of God’s people who determine their lives without counsel from the Lord. Here is the context: The Israelites have come into the Promised land and defeated the walled city of Jericho and the smaller city of Ai. God through Moses had ordered Israel to …
Chopping with a Sharp Ax
What do you think is the most dangerous occupation in the world? Soldier? Test pilot? Police officer? Fire fighter? Bomb squad? In terms of fatalities per number of labors employed, some have said it is crab ship fisherman (go figure). Well, Solomon is addressing that subject in Ecc. 10:9-10; where he is speaking of occupational …
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah was barren in a day that looked upon barrenness as a judgment from God. Her husband, Elkanah, loved her. But he had another wife (another aberration of that day) named Peninnah, who vexed Hannah for having no children. Hannah went up with her husband to their annual pilgrimage to the …
Between Insight and Obtuseness
Have you ever been indicted for being obtuse? To be obtuse is to be thick-headed, unaware, imperceptive, or slow on the uptake. Husbands are often this way when their wife is dropping hints about an upcoming anniversary or special event… or some home repair that needs attention. Wives can be this way when the husband …
Generational Drift
Psalm 78:1-7 says, “Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from …
Fearing God but…
A few years ago, a new house was built in our neighborhood. As it was being built, it grabbed everyone’s attention as it was obviously and easily the most expensive home in the subdivision. When it was finished, the owner invited the entire subdivision to an open house to see the new home and enjoy …
Love Like a Morning Cloud
I love to see the seasons change. I’m a genuine four seasons kind of guy. And I’m not talking about the “seasons” they have in Arizona (hot, hotter, hottest) but a clearly defined four seasons that are profoundly different. Perhaps I appreciate the change of seasons because just as the heat and humidity of summer …
Devised From His Own Heart
Man is a creative and innovative creature. This is a function of the image of God within him. God is a creative God. His insights and wisdom are infinite. God can conceive of anything and everything of which we could not possibly conceive. And while we do not have infinite creativity we have significant creativity …
Times that Try Our Souls
When the young American Revolution was nigh unto coming undone, Philosopher and Scholar Thomas Paine wrote a series of 16 pamphlets, written in common language, to bolster the sagging morale of the Colonists. Often known as, The American Crisis, or simply, The Crisis, there are 16 pamphlets in total. Thirteen numbered pamphlets were published between 1776 and 1777, …
The Power of Storytelling
Until I came to know the Lord and went to college, I was never a serious student. My elementary, middle school (Jr. High when I was a boy), and high school academic effort and achievement were doubtless below average and just enough to get to the next grade level. I did not like school… at …
