“Three key Hebrew verbs are used for leading a flock. Nahal means leading with tenderness and can refer to bringing a flock to a place of rest and refreshment. Nakhah is a straightforward guidance verb. Nahag suggests the kind of directive herding accomplished best from the back of the flock, when the will of … More The Lovingkindness of the Shepherd of Israel
“We are, all of us, haunted by loneliness.” mps, Jr We were driving back from a visit to Pennsylvania. I saw the cars. I saw the people in the cars and the classic tune sprang to memory. In my head, I began to sing the lyrics. So memory became thoughts, became this post about a … More The Beatles “Lonely People”–a Lament for All of Us
The king was evil and powerful. He knew what he wanted and was willing to do anything to get it. He was a fist-in-the face-of-God leader and was willing to pay for the answers he wanted. Four hundred of his lackeys were flattering his ego. And one lone prophet of Judah stood up to him … More For the Love of Christ, Give Us Preachers Like This!
A Morning Call to Worship “Our Mighty Rock, our Refuge, our LORD,has watched us as we sleptand has prepared good works for usto walk in this day. Some of those good works are words we will speak, care we will give, a smile we will shine, a note we will write, … More Use the Day. Spend it Well.
I have been reading in Psalms and Ezra and Romans and the Gospel of Mark this week and have found a reoccuring theme, the companionship of blessing and wrath. One is often discussed in relation to the other. Part of this is the working out of the “blessing and curse” theology of Deuteronomy 27-28. But … More The Companionship of Blessing and Wrath
This morning I was reading Psalm 58 during morning devotions and saw the sarcasm of David’s first two verses for the first time. That’s humbling! In the 47 years since I became a Bible reader, I have probably read psalm 58 over 100 times and only today did it register that David’s psalm begins with … More King David’s Sarcasm and Wisdom
Great quote I had to pass on: I’m not sure where I was reading. Can’t remember if it was a commentary or The Institutes or a biography, but I love this quote from John Calvin. It is reminder to my soul that there is always more to see than my first glance gives. There is … More Finding Glory in Mundane Places
John F. Kennedy35th President of the United States (1961–63) I remember the election of 1960. Actually, I remember the last year of the Kennedy administration. By then I was 8 years old and I knew that in our household, mom had voted for Kennedy and dad voted for Nixon. I also know that that difference … More He Couldn’t Be Nominated by Either Party Today
I am reading a fascinating devotional book, While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks: Forty Daily Reflections on Biblical Leadership Haddon Robinson, former President of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary says in the Forward to the book, that Professor Laniak applies what he has learned to the tasks of being a shepherd in the church and “raises our job … More Where are the Shepherds?
For about 7 years, while I was on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ (now CRU), I had the privilege of teaching a 2 credit graduate class on the Life of David at the Institute of Biblical Studies twice, and sometimes three times a year. It was an honor and a thrill. I think … More “To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice”
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