The men of Issachar understood the times. But that’s not all they did. Anyone can look out their window and tell whether or not it’s raining. These men did more than just know the times. They understood them. And because they understood them, they also knew what Israel should do. Understanding is just the first [...]
I wonder what would have happened if the men from Issachar (back in 1 Chronicles 12:32) would have acted without understanding? I wonder what would have been said of them if they had simply pursued the status quo because “that is the way it has always been.” I wonder what would have happened if these [...]
The world has changed quite a bit since I was a boy—from radios to iPods; from 13-inch black-and-white TVs to 50-inch flat screen HDTVs; from war bonds to computer viruses; from letter writing to skyping. Times have changed. The world I currently live in is very different from the one I was born into and [...]
Brief Outline: Background information: Paul had a special relationship with the church at Philippi. He expressed it in Philippians 1:7, when he said, “I have you in my heart.” Imprisoned in Rome, Paul was encouraged by a visit from a church member named Epaphroditus and the “love gift” he brought to Paul on behalf [...]
Here’s the biggest difference between offense and provocation: Offense shuts out, isolates, and flees from, while provocation runs toward, invites in, and opens up. An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel (Proverbs 18:19 niv). I wonder how the scene in [...]
Last time, I ended with a couple of questions to ponder relating to offense and provocation and then presented a passage of Scripture for our mutual consideration. The second question asked, “Is it better to be provoked to do almost anything than to be offended by almost everything?” What do you think? I think it’s [...]
The idea of being provoked yet not offended started me thinking about a few things—not just personally but vocationally as well. Certainly, this challenge has personal ramifications for us all, but it also has professional ramifications for every one of us who labors in the field of pastoral ministry. To provoke literally means to incite [...]
This past January, I had the privilege of attending a lecture at Calvin College by author, speaker, and researcher Gabe Lyons. In his presentation, Lyons made an interesting assertion that has stimulated my thinking regarding cultural engagement. Lyons asserted that Christians need to be provoked by culture, not offended. Far too often, according to Lyons, [...]
I have to be honest. I couldn’t wait to get to the pool that afternoon and watch Drew swim. I think the parents in the stands were more nervous and anxious than the boys on the deck. An excitement and energy rippled through the building as we all stood for the national anthem and then [...]
God’s delight in me (and you) is not performance based. Sometimes I need to be reminded of that, and I figured that you might need a reminder too. This past winter our 8th grader tried a new sport—swimming. Turns out he’s pretty good at it. It also turns out that his team was really good. [...]
In the spring, shepherds in Idaho move their flocks from the lowlands into the mountains. Thousands of sheep move up the passes into the high country to summer pasture.
http://odb.org/subscriptions/