When God first extended his call in my life as a speaker the first thing I did was question him to make sure he knew who he was dealing with. I had a speech impediment as a child. I hated public speaking! I cringed when I had to take it in college. Full of self-doubt and fear, I was sure I’d written the book on every excuse for opposing God’s call. That is, until I read through Moses’ story. Moses and I became well-acquainted through that time.
Read More Moses, weakness
When I see someone wearing a cross, I occasionally ask them what it means. Some respond that it is a nice piece of jewellery while for others it is a good luck charm that will protect them from harm and danger. Others are closer to the truth when they explain that it means Christ died for their sins. In this passage Jesus is nailed to the cross and subjected to humiliation and ridicule.
Read More suffering, power, weakness, the cross
As we read the life of David, we are made aware that he was often attacked by his enemies and often on the run for his life. Psalm 86 is David’s prayer in a time of great trial. His violent enemies have conspired to kill him. While many of us may never know this level of threat, still we have times of desperation and can discern much from him. What do we do when we are hard pressed, threatened or under attack?
Read More strength, weakness, refuge, dependenceThroughout his life, David was known as a man of action. In fact, he caused trouble when he remained idle, such as when he used his power to take advantage of Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Sam 11). He also fomented dissension when he neglected to tend to family relationships, especially his failure to deal with the rape of Tamar (2 Sam 13:1-19).
In retrospect it’s plain to see how David’s inactivity created the circumstances that made his final years on the throne so unsatisfying.
Read More relationships, weakness
These words were written a long time ago at a time when the author’s environment was markedly different from ours. In spite of all these differences and all the changes that have occurred over the past centuries, what Agur describes here clearly shows that the heart of man has not really changed at all.
Read More pride, righteousness, haughtiness, weakness, hypocrisy, greed, respect, oppression, exploitation, deprived, rébellion
Dear Epaphroditus, Greetings from a twenty first century follower of Jesus! Allow me to introduce myself, because when I arrive in the new heavens and the new earth, you are among the first people I want to meet! I know little about you, yet every time I hear your name and recall Paul’s tender words about you, I am deeply moved.
Read More service, weakness, Epaphroditus, Timothy, model
“Be beautiful in your heart by being gentle and quiet” (3:4).
This passage is troubling in these egalitarian times, for it appears to give biblical sanction to a patriarchal view of women. Indeed, complementarian Christians often cite it as a mandate to keep women in their place.
Read More weakness, gentleness, women, honour, beauty