Tag Archives: humble yourselves

The Pompous Pride of All Glory

Posted on September 5, 2025 by Pete

Isaiah 23:17-18 hooks me. I’m intrigued by how God purposes to redeem the “merchandise and wages” of a prostitute and make them “holy to the LORD.” And so, I hover over Isaiah 23 for a bit this morning. I quickly … Continue reading →

Posted in Isaiah | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Take a Seat . . . Down There

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Pete

Not the first time I’ve read this parable. Not the first I’ve paused to noodle on it. Not the first time I’ve been challenged to apply it. But I do think it’s the first time I’ve noticed that Jesus noticed. … Continue reading →

Posted in Luke | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Scorn

Posted on July 29, 2025 by Pete

It’s a “lesser sin to consider” that hits my radar this morning. A more “acceptable” transgression that’s giving me something to chew on. Scorn. Kind of a funny word. Not really a word that I think is used much these … Continue reading →

Posted in Proverbs | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Two-Step Miracle

Posted on April 21, 2025 by Pete

It’s unique among Jesus’ healings, but I’m wondering this morning if it shouldn’t be considered normative. Jesus comes to the village of Bethsaida where He encounters a blind guy begging Jesus to “touch him” (Mark 8:22). And touch him Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in Mark | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

We Can’t Do It

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Pete

It’s kind of a puzzling verse. Kind of “Debbie Downer”-esque. A bit of a wet blanket thrown on what should have been a motivational moment. But noodle on it a bit, and you know Joshua’s right when he says, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Joshua | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nothing to Brag About

Posted on March 26, 2025 by Pete

Continuing to read Paul’s opening words to the Corinth church. A church not “lacking in any gift” (1Cor. 1:7). Yet also a church not lacking in any drama, for “there is quarreling among you” (1Cor. 1:11). And that’s the just … Continue reading →

Posted in 1Corinthians | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Another Approach

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Pete

Job, and his friends were both pretty clear on “what” had happened. Where they differed was on the “why.” For Job’s friends it was pretty clear, “You’re suffering because something’s wrong with you — you must have sinned some pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in Job | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Bow Undone

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Pete

Read Job 29 and 30 together and it’s a dickens of a contrast — the best of times and the worst of times. Chapter 29 is Job at his best, a force to be reckoned with. In his prime (29:4), … Continue reading →

Posted in Job | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

More Grace (2018 Rerun)

Posted on October 2, 2024 by Pete

If I thought it “a bit disturbing” back in ’18, I might consider it downright unsettling in 2024. We are still quarreling and still fighting. And while the “what’s” of our disagreements may be legitimate and substantive, the “how’s” of … Continue reading →

Posted in James | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Humble Myself. Really?

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Pete

In case I missed it when I was reading in 2 Chronicles this morning, my reading in Psalm 149 punctuated it. This morning’s word to chew on: “humble.” I read about three kings of Judah; Hezekiah, his son, Manasseh, and … Continue reading →

Posted in 2Chronicles | Tagged , | Leave a comment