-
The Book of Job
The first five verses of Job offer us insight into the purpose behind the book. Job is presented as an exceedingly righteous man, one who was “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1, ESV). Almost to match his moral excellence, he is wealthy and prosperous, blessed materially and…
-
Finding Meaning in Spirituality
The human experience only makes sense when you include in your search for purpose the One Who is not “under the sun.” Ecclesiastes reminds us, especially in our materialistic and sensually driven time, that the world is senseless when we eliminate God from the equation. Temporal life can only offer pseudo-replacements that leave us empty…
-
Lessons from Joshua
One of my favorite stories in the Book of Joshua also happens to be one of my favorite lessons in the entire Bible. After most of the land had been conquered and dispersed, one of Joshua’s oldest comrades approached him and requested to be given Hebron. Caleb was a contemporary of Joshua, and they were…
-
Reflecting on His Holiness
As I work through my regular Bible reading, I pay especially close attention to the ways God is described. God is universally described in ways that no other being could be. This helps draw us in to be impressed by His uniqueness, His aseity. You don’t have to necessarily do anything different, just pay more…
-
The Value of Genesis
The first book of the Bible powerfully sets the stage for the drama of the human story. It chronicles the beginning of all things: the material universe, the wonders and woes of humankind, and the story of God’s working through humankind to eventually redeem His creation. Genesis creates the foundation of everything, especially theologically. Every…
-
Father’s Rules
The Ten Commandments are generally treated as confining rules and nothing else. Yet humanity likes rules, we just don’t like to admit we like rules. We love guidelines and structure. No parent feels unloving or unkind because they make a rule about not playing on the road. Rules matter. The Rule-Maker matters. The first commandment…
-
“The Heart Won’t Lie…”?
Recently my wife and I were listening to some classic Reba McEntire songs. She’s an Okie, like my wife and myself. This line is from a duet she sang with Vince Gill, another great classic country singer. “The heart won’t lie…” Hmmm. I wonder, is that always true? Or perhaps, could the heart be deceived? …
-
What Poetry Does
Poetry can make points that nothing else can. Through poetry, the poet can say what can’t be said otherwise, what would be deemed improper, or even too emotional. There is power in the poet’s pen… This is true of the Psalms. The Psalter is full of the tear-filled eyes of the grateful and the tear-stained…
The Preacher's Desk
Biblical resources for preachers, teachers, and Bible students.
The Preacher's Desk 