They were talking about the greatest command of all when Jesus revealed to the loophole seeking Bible scholar how he rolled as a God-and-people-lover. I think, with the Samaritan story, Jesus was, in essence, saying, “Here’s how I love my Father and my neighbors. I go out of my way to serve them.” Though I …
How to avoid dying before you’re supposed to (Part 3 of 3)
“Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.” Proverbs 19:2 (NLT) So this is my final piece on King Josiah’s unnecessary and premature demise (2 Chronicles 35:20-25). It might interest you to know that Judah never again had a righteous king. From Josiah’s death onwards, the nation went down the tubes. His unwise decision …
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How to avoid dying before you’re supposed to (Part 2 of 3)
In response to some feedback on my last post, believe me, Josiah is one of my favorite guys in Scripture. I’d follow that man anywhere. Except, of course, to the battlefield where he unwisely barged into a fight that wasn’t his! I’m not dissing him or saying that his death was any sort of judgment …
Continue reading "How to avoid dying before you’re supposed to (Part 2 of 3)"
A Primer on Prayer
Aside from the relentless enticement of the Holy “Spirit of grace and supplication” I can’t account for how much I’ve always loved spending time with the Lord. Sure, there’s discipline involved, but for me, it’s been more the desire, that clearly comes from him, than discipline. I wondered if after I “retired” from pastoring I …
The Beauty of Balance (Part 1 of 2)
“Heaven have mercy on us all - Presbyterians and Pagans alike - for we are all somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly need mending.” Herman Melville I’ve never been mistaken for an expert practitioner of what we might call “balance,” but I believe it exists and that it is a quality to be …
barney wiget 