God’s presence
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A Psalm of Thanksgiving
A Psalm of Joy for “MacDonald the Older” – Happy Birthday I praise you, oh God, for out of the chaos of my life, You step over the darkness of my soul and create. Where once I believed there would… Continue reading
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Comfort Me, Oh God!
“You who have shown me great distresses and troubles will revive me again, and will bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You will increase my greatness and You will encircle and comfort me“ (Ps. 71:20-21 CEB).… Continue reading
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When God is Silent
“Wake up! Get up, my God, my Lord! Defend me and my cause! Give judgment for me, ADONAI, my God, as your righteousness demands” (Ps. 35:23-24 CJSB). We know that we are children of the Most-High God. As His kids,… Continue reading
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Psalm 15 – Living in God’s Presence
“ADONAI, who can rest in your tent? Who can live on your holy mountain? Those who live a blameless life, who behave uprightly, who speak truth from their hearts” (Ps. 15:1-2 CJSB). Practicing hospitality and kindness does not offer me… Continue reading
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From Job to Doctors to Psalms
This week shaped up to be a hectic and beautiful time in my life. While still maintaining all of my Biblical readings, I graduated with a Doctorate of Ministry degree from The Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The adventure into doctor… Continue reading
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Job and His So-Called Friends
The epic poem of Job tackles some of life’s most difficult questions regarding the nature of suffering. The friends (Zophar, Eliphaz, and Bildad) that surround Job represent traditional theology regarding who is to blame when bad things happen. “If anything… Continue reading
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Hearing the Torah Again for the First Time
Chapter Nine is a song of praise and a quick history recap about God’s guidance, delivery, and protection of the Hebrew people. For those who want a Cliff Notes version of the Hebrew Bible, you found the right place. We… Continue reading
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Building a Second Temple
The exile is over, and the people of God return home. Unsure of their next step, they survey the damage left when they were forced out of their homes. Their beautiful temple lay in ruins. Rebuilding must begin in every… Continue reading
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The Good, the Bad, and the Foolish
The Book of 2nd Chronicles is like a roller coaster that soars way up into the sky and descends to great depths. One king pleases God, while another blasphemes everything sacred to the Jewish culture of ancient Judah. The only… Continue reading
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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
2nd Chronicles traces the lineage of the kings (predominantly in Judah). We learn about the leaders who listened to God’s directions and those who charted the course that led to destruction. Time after time, there rose out of the chaos… Continue reading
