Devotionals
Son of Man — What Does THAT Mean?
During today’s reading, I again noticed Ezekiel being constantly referred to as the “son of man.” So I would like to briefly explore what this phrase means, where we see it in Scripture, and why it is significant. In the case of Ezekiel, “son of man” is meant to underscore his human frailty and his... Read More →
Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition
The battle-cry of Chaplain Lt H. M. Forgy aboard the USS New Orleans during the attack on Pearl Harbour in WWII. Just the thought of it today causes Christians to recoil in horror. Imagine! Associating God with war?? Crazytownbananapants! Ot is it? I think Christians write-large would also recoil in horror at the words of... Read More →
We Become What We Worship
I was floored reading Psalm 135 this morning. Particularly verses 15-18. For the sake of completeness of understanding, here are those verses (in the New Living Translation): The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They... Read More →
The Need for Christian Leadership
Psalm 125:3 (NLT) says, “The wicked will not rule the land of the godly, for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.” This verse highlights a profound truth about the influence of leadership on the moral and spiritual health of a community. The importance of Christian leaders in today’s world cannot be overstated.... Read More →
Lying to Ourselves
First of all… take some time and read Psalm 119. It is wonderful. And I say this as someone who is rather ambivalent about poetry generally speaking. But I took over a page and a half of notes during today’s reading. So good. Anyway, the fourth section — verse 29 — has this gem: “Keep me... Read More →
Glory & Pride
Glory and pride. One is God’s and the other comes before the fall. What are we to do with our successes and achievements? Is self-loathing the answer? Years ago I was approached by a woman after I had led worship (I think) and she praised the work I had done. I was very bad at... Read More →
Foiling God’s Plan
Psalm 114 is an interesting one. It describes the flight from Egypt by the nation of Israel and describes the earth in some unique terms. The sea “flees”, the river “turns back”, the mountains and hills “leap”. The language is curious and worth thinking about because the author then asks what has prompted this behaviour.... Read More →
Are there gods Other Than the God of Israel?
No. There are not. So then what do we make of the other gods that people worship? We have no problem saying they are ‘false’, or ‘not real’, or even ‘idols’, but these are all more pleasant euphemisms. None of the other gods from Baal & Molech to Zeus & Mercury, to Vishnu & Allah... Read More →
Everything. All of it.
I’ve said before that poetry really isn’t my thing. When it comes to reading my Bible, I love the history, the theology, the wisdom, and even the law! Leviticus is drastically underrated. But Psalms has never been a book that I particularly look forward to reading when it comes up. I know it is God’s... Read More →
Sing to the Lord. Do it Now.
Just a quick thought today. Several times throughout the Psalms we are told to sing to the Lord. Not the more broad “worship”, but specifically singing. Why? Let’s pop that question in our pockets for a sentence or two while I describe my ideal Sunday service for you all. I would like to see an... Read More →
Delight in the Law… Really?
For YEARS after I returned to the church around age 13 I was always perplexed by this idea of delighting in the law, yet we see it pop up in the Psalms on multiple occasions. So what’s the deal with that? Doesn’t the law limit our freedom? Doesn’t it put restrictions all around us? Tell... Read More →
The Uselessness of Jealousy
Psalm 49:16-19 says… Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases;for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper—they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again... Read More →