Tag Archives: suffering

An Egyptian Servant, A Hebrew King

Posted on January 3, 2019 by Pete

They couldn’t have been any more different. First, she’s a her and he’s a him. Furthermore, she was an Egyptian. He was a Hebrew. And she was bottom of the food chain, a servant of Abraham and his wife, Sarah. … Continue reading →

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

My Servant

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Pete

The storm was over. The throbbing pain of sore infested limbs had ended. The pounding sorrow of having lost family, fortune, and his fair name had subsided. The relentless waves of accusation after accusation by his miserable comforters had ceased. … Continue reading →

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

The Fault Line

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Pete

It would seem there are some lines you just don’t cross. Some boundaries you might walk up to the edge of but best go no farther. Some things that might be fair game but you better know when you’re out … Continue reading →

Posted in Job | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Better Than Butter

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Pete

How Job longed for the good ol’ days. The days of prosperity. The days of health. The days when family surrounded him. The days when widely held respect went before him. The days, Job says, “when God watched over me” … Continue reading →

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

Think Like Jesus, Live For God

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Pete

For them, to not blend in was as good as putting a target on their back. To live like citizens of a heavenly kingdom was to increasingly be at odds with the kingdom around them. To stand out from the … Continue reading →

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

A Grace Thing

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Pete

Those who have known grace should show grace. I buy that. Those whose sins have been forgiven because of the finished work of the cross should forgive the sins of others. Makes sense to me. Those who have been blessed … Continue reading →

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

Promises and Circumstance

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Pete

I read Psalm 89 and am again reminded of how much I want a story to have a happy ending. If Ethan the Ezrahite’s song had stopped at verse 37, that would have worked for me. If the pivotal phrase, … Continue reading →

Posted in Psalms | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Satisfied With His Likeness

Posted on January 16, 2018 by Pete

There were times when David prayed for deliverance from trouble of his own making. When he knew it was because of his own sinful weakness and misguided actions (or lack of action) that he was in dire straits and needed … Continue reading →

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

I Shall Not Be Shaken

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Pete

Last night, as our small group met to discuss that morning’s sermon and dig deeper into the topics of suffering and God’s comfort, we talked about how living life within a greater context helps in persevering amidst trials. Remembering what … Continue reading →

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

The Lifter of My Head

Posted on December 29, 2017 by Pete

What’s the relationship between sorrow and sagging? When was our countenance wired to fall as a response to becoming aware of our failure? Why, when we’re despondent, does the chin droop? How come the neck naturally bends forward when bad … Continue reading →

Posted in Psalms | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment