I’m reading through the Bible again this year, and am in Genesis. Previously, I’ve seen Abraham, to protect himself, pretend his wife is his sister. (Clearly, “courting” back then could involve murdering your competition, the existing husband.) You can find those instances in Genesis 12:14-20 and Genesis 20. This morning (and I was a day…
Category: All 66 in One Year
Do Embellished Rules Encourage Sin?
Okay, first a disclaimer: the Bible is not exhaustive, so you have to be careful about making an argument from silence. Having said that, please consider how the prohibition against eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is given in Genesis 2:15-17 (NIV): The LORD God took the man and put…
Happy New Year (2017)
I suspect I was not the only one to start off 2017 staying up way too late, but after about six hours of sleep I began the new year in one of the best ways possible. Reading Scripture. Many of us at the Strasburg Church of Christ are taking the blessed trek through all 66…
King Solomon Versus the Hair Band Poison
King Solomon: For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief (Ecclesiastes 1:18, New International Version). Poison: Yeah sometimes I wish I didn’t know now The things I didn’t know then Yes, the body of Christ is composed from every nation under the sun, and from folks who grew up with…
May These Sad Words Never Be Said of You
As I continue through a very painful part of Scripture (where we generally hear about how unfaithful the kings of Israel and Judah were), I ran into something I hope will never be said of you (or me): [Jehoram] was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And…
When Your Death Shows God’s Favor
I’m reading through the Bible again this year and a couple weeks ago I ran into an interesting section. My instinct is to consider God having a person die early is a bad sign…e.g. Ananias and Sapphira (see Acts 5). Basically, early death by God’s decree = bad. To quickly catch you up for a clear…
Human Fickleness
The fickleness of humans in two verses (Matt 21:9 & 27:22, English Standard Version)… And yet…there is nothing He is unwilling to forgive a repentant heart…
Was Joseph (Jesus’ Stepfather) a Good Jew?
Reading in Matthew today, I ran into this again: Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to…
Two Babies, Two Reactions
The “In One Year” Bible reading for today was Luke 1…I didn’t realize it was such a long chapter. 🙂 And in that lengthy chapter two miraculous conceptions were announced. The first was to John the Baptist’s dad-to-be Zechariah: But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been…
Over Our Skis
Although I can’t say I was a fan of much of his managerial approach, in a former job one of our parent company’s Cs had an expression, “over their skis,” for people who were in positions they were not qualified for. (I confess that I always worried that he placed me in that category, although he never…
Business Communication Advice from Proverbs
As I continue this year’s trek through Scripture, today’s reading (Proverbs 17-19) included several verses that aligned with advice I’ve given as a leader. In order: Don’t allow a conversation to escalate. The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out (Proverbs 17:14, English Standard Version). When a dialogue starts…
Happy 238th Birthday United States of America
Happy Birthday America… If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. And if at…
We Get What We Really Want
Ultimately (and eternally) God gives us what we really want: But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels (Psalm 81:11-12, English Standard Version). I can’t help but think this does not bode well for…
Imprecatory Prayers Make Me Cringe
Okay, I’ll admit it. As much as they are biblical, imprecatory prayers make me cringe. I ran into this one today as I continue to read through all 66 in one year: Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered…
And He Departed…
When I die…and here’s hopin’ it isn’t too soon :-), I hope nothing even close to these words are said of my passing: [Jehoram] was thirty- two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he departed with no one’s regret (2 Chronicles 21:20, English Standard Version, emphasis…