You ever gone through something and just had to hold out hope that however tough things get, at the end of the day it won’t matter much? By that I mean, the end of the day is the cue for a brand new day. That brand new day is so promising, so filled with hope […]
Read More A Word of Hope: It Won’t MatterAmong other brilliant things reading the book of Jonah is noting that it’s as much about what’s around Jonah as it is about Jonah. The Ship’s Crew: Here is a group of people who do not know or worship the God of Israel. They are very much into their gods, though. They show a great […]
Read More MWTM: Jonah Part 2 – Something Around JonahIt’s easy to say you want things to be better. It’s easy to say that because if you are asked about your current circumstances, you’ll have a good idea of how things aren’t quite working as you’d like. Thus when asked what you want, you can just reply that you want things to be better. […]
Read More What Does ‘Better’ Look Like?The metaphor is beautiful. The composer puts together parts for each member of the orchestra. If they are present for the symphony, it’s because they have a key role to play in making real the sound the composer had in his mind from the beginning. Everyone. His ear is so keen that in rehearsals he […]
Read More InstrumentalA lot of the book of Amos is fairly brutal and bleak. Then the Sovereign Lord showed me another vision. In it I saw a basket filled with ripe fruit. “What do you see, Amos?” he asked. I replied, “A basket full of ripe fruit.” Then the Lord said, “Like this fruit, Israel is ripe for punishment! I will not […]
Read More MWTM: Amos Part 2 – Hope of RestorationPlan for the best, expect the worst. That is a piece of advice that I’ve heard for years. By years, I can remember it from before my teens and I’m sure it influenced elements of my approach to things. There was a gnawing sense that bad things could happen and so as to avoid disappointment […]
Read More Planning and ExpectingSome thought he was mad for taking the opportunity. He was well set up with a good job in a vibrant city. Things were looking well for him to progress in a number of different areas. There were those who suggested if he had stuck around a little longer he would have been considered for […]
Read More Giving Them A Reason To JoinIt’s not that you deliberately set out to mess it up. After all it is a wonderful opportunity. In those initial stages there was great excitement and a genuine eagerness to make the most of the opportunity. Then things happen. As things happen they challenge the degree of commitment to the opportunity. Things don’t just […]
Read More If You Take It SeriouslyFor a while now, I’ve been challenged and influenced by Paul’s encouragement to the church in Philippi. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. That encouragement is part of an overall word from Paul about […]
Read More Seeking the SuperlativeBlink and you miss it. That’s something apply to years of my life to be fair. It’s particularly applicable, however, to the month of February. For me this makes it all the more important to make a note of what life is like in the smallest month of the year. First of all, I’m really […]
Read More March Movements Without Forgetting February: A Dryden Update
Life With CD 