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Fighting the Fear Monster – Part 2

This is part two in a three part post on Fighting the Fear Monster – lessons from Psalm 3. For the previous post, see Part 1. Ahithophel: Fear from Vulnerability Finding that his own son had plotted against him was heartbreaking for David, but discovering that his chief adviser was helping Absolom was terribly alarming. Ahithophel was an expert strategist with a reputation of always knowing the advantageous thing to do (2 Samuel 16:23). In addition, he knew David. Ahithophel… Read More »Fighting the Fear Monster – Part 2

Fighting the Fear Monster – Part 1

Could it be a conspiracy? Are manufacturers of energy drinks funneling a cut from their profits to the publishers of academic textbooks and certain unscrupulous professors. Driven to drink these caffeine-laced concoctions by the looming disaster of a final exam over material in a coma-inducing textbook, the unwary college student falls victim to a trap. It is a vicious trap – lack of study will keep you awake, while studying will put you to sleep. In a bizarre twist on… Read More »Fighting the Fear Monster – Part 1

Make Like a Tree and Leaf

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 Last week,… Read More »Make Like a Tree and Leaf

The Blessed Conflict

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 If you want to send a ripple in the pond of polite secular society, use the word blessed in a conversation. We often rub shoulders with people who have only two units… Read More »The Blessed Conflict

#Blessedness Guaranteed

Blessed is the manwho walks not in the counsel of the wicked,nor stands in the way of sinners,nor sits in the seat of scoffers;but his delight is in the law of the LORD,and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 I was incredulous as I stooped to pick it up from my doorstep – a package that threatened to undermine a foundational principle in my childhood instruction. I was taught from a very young age, “Money cannot… Read More »#Blessedness Guaranteed

We Are Munsters

The LORD is a jealous and avenging God;the LORD is avenging and wrathful;the LORD takes vengeance on his adversariesand keeps wrath for his enemies.The LORD is slow to anger and great in power,and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty.Nahum 1:2-3 As adults, we often think of things we did as children and cringe. I am embarrassed to say I was a big fan of a TV comedy called The Munsters. Today, I can almost feel my brain… Read More »We Are Munsters

Fear and Favor

Fear not, O land;be glad and rejoice,for the LORD has done great things!Fear not, you beasts of the field,for the pastures of the wilderness are green;the tree bears its fruit;the fig tree and vine give their full yield. Joel 2:21-22 Praych It! Have you ever heard somebody praych? That is, have you listened to someone pray and suspected they were really preaching to you instead of speaking to God? It may be that someone has heard us pray that way… Read More »Fear and Favor

Who Knows?

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“Yet even now,” declares the LORD,“return to me with all your heart,with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;and rend your hearts and not your garments.”Return to the LORD your God,for he is gracious and merciful,slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;and he relents over disaster.Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,and leave a blessing behind him,a grain offering and a drink offeringfor the LORD your God?(Joel 2:12-14) The prophet, Joel, surprises the reader with this amazing oracle… Read More »Who Knows?

Tell Me a Story, Grandpa

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Hear this, you elders;give ear, all inhabitants of the land!Has such a thing happened in your days,or in the days of your fathers?Tell your children of it,and let your children tell their children,and their children to another generation.(Joel 1:2-3) Just when you thought it was safe to go into the wheat field… LOCUSTS! Okay, maybe it will not be a blockbuster thriller hitting the big screen anytime soon, but in ancient Palestine an invasion of locusts brought sheer terror. The… Read More »Tell Me a Story, Grandpa

Satisfaction Guaranteed

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,and for as many years as we have seen evil.Psalm 90:14-15 The hit song by the Rolling Stones, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” showed how a catchy tune along with an outstanding performance could overcome even the worst grammar. It also resonated a truth that we find inescapable in this fallen world.… Read More »Satisfaction Guaranteed