Bible Studies

I’ve often told students and congregants how difficult it must have been to be one of Jesus’ brothers or sisters. What must it have been like to hear Mary or Joseph say, “Why can’t you be like your brother?”... Continue Reading »

We’ve reached the end of these studies of the life of David in 1 and 2 Samuel. We’ve seen how God used Samuel and Saul to prepare the way for David. We’ve seen highs and lows before in David’s... Continue Reading »

Last month in this column, we looked at one of the darkest periods of David’s reign. David’s own son, Absalom, had usurped the throne, forcing David to flee the city where God chose to dwell. An undercurrent in these... Continue Reading »

I am regularly grateful that social media didn’t exist when I was a teenager. I can’t imagine what might have remained online had I announced to the world my opinions about anything and everything. The most frightening aspect of... Continue Reading »

If the life of David were a movie, the lighting and the background music would change dramatically for the events of 2 Samuel 11. Up to this point, the former shepherd had experienced dark seasons, but this darkness was... Continue Reading »

Years had passed since Samuel had anointed David as king. Samuel, Saul, Jonathan, and many others had died. David had become a great warrior, then a fugitive, and now king. Judah anointed him king first, and several years later... Continue Reading »

We crave peace: a laid-back weekend, a nap, the end of the day, a holiday, a break from mental anxiety, retirement, less crime, the end of a war … . Scripture speaks often of peace. We think of Christ... Continue Reading »

Whenever I encounter the question, “What are your favorite books?” I am always reluctant to mention the Bible. While I understand and appreciate why Christians mention Scripture, I hesitate to evaluate Scripture because Scripture evaluates me (James 1:23-24). Whether... Continue Reading »

9/11. Apollo 11. Pearl Harbor. Appomattox. Yorktown. These names and places refer to events that determined the course of American history. To live before and then after these events probably felt like living in a different country. I wonder... Continue Reading »

Several years ago, I got a call from my mother that my grandmother was about to pass away. Late one evening, I drove to the assisted living facility where she was living, and I noticed as I went in... Continue Reading »

I’ve never been a vocal enthusiast for the NBA, especially as professional sports have become increasingly political. From time to time, however, I do enjoy watching clips of great players. Despite the fact that I rarely pulled for him,... Continue Reading »

I am told that rates of depression are higher in the winter months, especially in northern regions where the days are so short. Sunlight, or the lack thereof, affects our moods. We need physical light. When He inspired the... Continue Reading »