Pastor's Blog (Page 7)

It’s 2023 and we’re thinking, “How can I be a better me in 23?” Perhaps we should give attention to some of the graces of life. Like tact. The original meaning of tact, says J. Oswald Sanders, referred to the sense of touch (as in “tactile”), and came to mean skill in dealing with persons or sensitive situations. Tact is that intuitive perception—and especially a…

Have you ever wondered why Moses allotted more space in Genesis for the Joseph story than for anyone else’s story? More than Abraham, of all people! Not what I’d have expected. Is it because Moses saw in Joseph the early fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? (Promises such as: “A very great and numerous nation will descend from you; all the…

In our journey through Genesis, have you noticed how frequently God bypassed the 1st-born?Seth was chosen… instead of Cain.Isaac… instead of Ishmael.Jacob…. instead of Esau.Joseph… instead of Reuben.Ephraim… instead of Manasseh. The pattern continues beyond Genesis: Moses, Gideon, David, Solomon… Why would God bypass the first-born so often, when He very clearly defends…

If Jacob was anything, he was intentional. Earlier in life he very intentionally wrangled his way for the birthright and his father’s deathbed blessing (Gen 25:31, ff.; 27:1-29). Then there was his determined, seven-year quest to marry Rachel (29:15-20); the meticulously executed plan to increase his spotted and speckled flocks (30:32, ff.), and the covertly…

A year ago when I began studying in earnest for our journey through the book of Genesis, I came across an author who said Genesis proclaims that “All of life is repentance.” * I have been pondering that statement and evaluating it ever since. Is it true? Were the people of Genesis genuinely repentant? Did they recognize and own their actions before Holy God as morally…

Cultivate the habit of considering what has been given rather than what has been withheld…. We can promote a cheerful heart by dwelling on the bright things of our lot, by counting up the mercies which are left, rather than dwelling on what we have lost. To trust when the light has burned to its socket in the house of life, and the heart is as lonely as Job’s…