In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be ashamed; in Your righteousness deliver me. Psalm 31:1 Never be ashamed– “Where do you feel safe?” asked my friend, the therapist. The answer scared me. Where do you feel completely accepted, warts and all? Where are you safe enough to be transparent about your feelings, your…
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, Ephesians 4:1-2 NASB Worthy– Jack Nicholson delivered a memorable line in the movie The Departed. “In the end…
“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” Mark 7:8 NASB Tradition of men– What are we to do with tradition? Actually, the question is a bit more complicated when we realize that the Greek word is parádosis, meaning “what is transmitted.” In other words, Yeshua is criticizing the behaviors of…
If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. Psalm 130:3-4 NASB Feared– Let’s fix this translation. Yes, the word is yārēʾ and it can be translated “fear” but is that what the psalmist is really saying? Is he saying that because YHVH overlooks our guilt…
Today we are in Milan getting ready to fly back to the USA for the Virginia Beach conference. And, by accident, I happened to find some references to the Certosa of Milan, a place that looked interesting but one I had never seen. One hour of metro, tram and walking later, I arrived. WOW! I…
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 5:6 NASB Empty words– “I’ve given up on them,” he replied. “I used to think things would get better, and, believe me, I tried. But people never really change. So I gave up hoping.” “We…
“And rend your heart and not your garments.” Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil. Joel 2:13 NASB Return– How do you feel when it all comes back? What do you think of God’s grace and compassion when all the trials, struggles and discouragements return? Why should you…
God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Genesis 21:17 NASB Crying– I’m reading a book by Julia Blum. It purports to be an examination…
