On the holy mountain of the Lord
Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:14 NLT) Today I was reading the second chapter of The Story, a version of the Bible that uses the NIVContinue Reading
A time for war
You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. (Psalm 97:10 NLT) Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. (Romans 12:9 NLT) For everything there isContinue Reading
A different “what if”
Who is the person who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. (Psalm 25:12 NASB) Abba, I’m struggling against some fears in some specific areas. You said to cast everything on to you because you care for us. So I’m actively casting. Yes, Child. ThatContinue Reading
River sewage
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. (Psalm 36:7-8 NIV) Our pastor once told the story of riding in a large canoe up a river in aContinue Reading
Wisdom & Failure
Choose [God’s] instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. (Proverbs 8:10-11 NIV) Once-upon-a-time I attended a workshop with Bill Hybels who was then the pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in the Chicago area. Many years laterContinue Reading
Limping Leaders
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. (Acts 20:28 NIV) ——— Recently, we’ve seen pastors and other Christian leaders removed from their positions because of sin. While we mustContinue Reading
Battles and the Space of Shalom
You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]. (Isaiah 26:3 AMP) I’ve had at least three ideas for today’s post. Any of them would be worth exploring,Continue Reading
It’s all a matter of perspective
Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. (1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT) The story goesContinue Reading
Shields up!
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me;My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge;My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower—my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2 AMP) When I was in grad school, a group of us would eat supper together while watching oldContinue Reading
Trust, Relationships, and Suffering in a Messy World
So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12 AMP) It takes a long time to build trust and a good reputation. In our day and age, when lies, smear campaigns, and personal vendettas can spread instantly through digital media, very little fact-checking occurs.Continue Reading