Pastor's Blog (Page 6)

Isn’t it amazing how just one missing letter changes the entire meaning? (It appears the “c” has fallen down behind the “u.”) I’ve titled this picture Food for Thought (pun intended on account of food and Burger King). Food for thought, that is, about losers. And that’s what every single one of us is—unless Christ has saved us. Have you ever considered all the…

Hard times. Difficult days. And a truly dismal tomorrow. Such was the sorry state of the people of Judah when God promised them that a bright and beautiful future lay ahead. He detailed numerous blessings and benefits that would be theirs, and then He gave the reason why: For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes. (Jeremiah 31:25) By beginning…

Eliab was incensed that his kid brother David—not yet old enough to even shave, much less join the army—had found a way to get to the battle front by bringing food provisions to his brothers. Of all the tricks! And now Eliab hears him asking for the details about all that King Saul had promised to whoever defeated Goliath! What a precocious little schmuck! Eliab doesn’t…

Positively inclined. Generally, we find ourselves positively inclined toward someone who is special to someone who is special to us. “Oh, you’re a friend of my friend so & so? Well, by all means, come on in! And now what can I do for you?” I think this is at the root of Paul’s appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. “Philemon, I have a special place in my heart for…

Have you ever had one of those dreams in which you find yourself in that dream sinning against the Lord? Perhaps egregiously? And knowingly? From time to time I have. If you’re like me, when you awake you have a sense of relief that it didn’t really happen. But there’s also a startled-ness as you think, “Oh, my! Could I actually do that against my Lord? Grieve so deeply…

Barb and I have been camping with our grandkids this week. We’ve had some wonderful times with these young ones and our hearts are full to overflowing. But the matter of freedom has come up a time or two: Why can’t we go to the river by ourselves? Why can’t we ride our bikes on the big road? Why do we have to have a grownup with us? (Ad nauseum? Well, not…