So Joab went to the king and told him this. Then the king summoned Absalom, and he came in and bowed down with his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom. (2 Samuel 14:33 NIV) There are many fascinating characters in scripture. Two particularly fascinating characters are Joab and Absalom. […]
Read More Sam’s 2nd Epic 14 – Absalom and the Long GameMy friend Steve is brilliant. Among the list of aspects that makes him brilliant is his capacity to motivate. One conversation about my lack of fitness and stamina turned into him inviting me to go with him to a gym. That encouragement turned to him actively helping me get to grips with the different stations […]
Read More On the Inside, Coming AlongsideAbsalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But King David mourned many days for his son. (2 Samuel 13:37 NIV) David had done wrong in plotting and scheming, it cost the life of a husband and a baby boy. Yet the punishment of God was to extend to his […]
Read More Sam’s 2nd Epic 13 – The Dysfunction of David’s DynastyWhen Adam and Eve sinned they went hiding when they heard God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. The ensuing conversation although it has grace notes and reasons for hope is still very sad indeed. The thought, however, of the Lord walking in the cool of the day, is fascinating. It’s […]
Read More Cool of the Day ConversationsReading the twelfth chapter of 2 Samuel is heavy. Did David really think he could get away with it? It’s intriguing that it takes a confrontation with God through Nathan for his misdeeds to be exposed and duly punished. The degree of David’s actions are taken very seriously indeed. God’s judgment on the matter is […]
Read More Sam’s 2nd Epic 12 – Conviction and GraceOn Sunday 15th June 2003 Authrine and I held the wedding ceremony that expressed to the world we were committing the rest of our lives together in holy matrimony. We get this date every year to celebrate our anniversary, so we’ve done this a few times now. On this occasion, though I am truly grateful […]
Read More Anniversary Celebration: FoundationAfter the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord . (2 Samuel 11:27 NIV) The darkest episode of the life of David is a sad episode to read. It’s one thing […]
Read More Sam’s 2nd Epic 11 – David DispleasesRelationships with God and each other should be characterised by grace. One of the outstanding attributes of God is His grace. I watched this video by Caesar Kalinowski on the subject of grace in parenting versus transactional parenting. Watching it though left me musing more, however, on how grace should influence and shape those fundamental […]
Read More Expressing Grace: A Small InquiryWhen all the kings who were vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been routed by Israel, they made peace with the Israelites and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore. (2 Samuel 10:19 NIV) A remarkable character trait of David is his honour. Whether for Saul, Jonathan […]
Read More Sam’s 2nd Epic 10 – It’s A ShameYeah, it’s football related, but it’s still good. So it’s the European Championship in France. Belgium, apparently ranked number two in the world, take on Italy who are not widely fancied because of their lack of big names. Belgium, meanwhile, have a number of very good players. As the game progresses, though, the Italians have […]
Read More Team vs Bunch of Gifted Individuals
Life With CD 