Jul 24, 2013 | Christian Living, Psalms, Theology
Psalm 24 is shorter than some the Psalms we’ve previously looked at in this series, and it has a fairly discernible structure. It begins with an echoing of the creation story from Genesis 1, (Psalm 24:1-2), moves on to talk about integrity, purity, and idolatry (Psalm...
Jul 22, 2013 | Christian Living, Romans, The Bible, Theology
There is no prescription for how you’re supposed to feel when you decide to put your trust in Christ. When I was about nine years old I presented myself to my church for baptism. A well-meaning person in the congregation asked me later, “Well, how did it feel?” I...
Jul 17, 2013 | Christian Living, The Bible, Theology
My father was an amazing man. He died in 1986, and I miss him terribly. He was quiet, introverted, full of wisdom, and not at all ostentatious. Dad told me something that surprised me one time when I was in my late 20s. I had just received my doctorate, and I was...
Jul 15, 2013 | Christian Living, Psalms, Theology
Psalm 73 has elements of thanksgiving, lament, and even complaint. At one point, the Psalmist is frustrated and angry, and unable to understand why the Lord allows the world to go the way it goes. He is envious of evildoers—the powerful, the rich, and the mighty—those...
Jul 10, 2013 | Christian Living, Culture
Your choices have a lot to do with the shape of your own heart and mind. Will you choose to live this moment, or will you merely endure it? Will you seek to maximize the opportunity in every second that is yours, or will you let life simply pass you by? At this very...
Jul 8, 2013 | Christian Living, Psalms
I hope our ongoing study of the Psalms has been beneficial for you. The Psalms are, of course, the hymn book of Israel. They represent collections of prayers and thanksgivings that cover many topics. Psalm 32 is remarkable in a number of ways. It’s not,...