“I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation.” (Jeremiah 15:17, ESV) As I have been in the pastoral ministry for many years, I look back and realize the power of behavior patterns. We establishContinue reading “A Nonconformist”
Tag Archives: hope
Slip Sliding Away
“Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name’s sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.” (Jeremiah 14:7, ESV) When I was in college, I had a 1967 Toyota Land Cruiser. This four-wheel drive vehicle could go just about anywhere. I remember taking it on the sandy beachContinue reading “Slip Sliding Away”
Broken Can’t Fix Broken
“Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.” (Jeremiah 13:23, ESV) Ask people what they consider one of the greatest hymns of all time and you might get a variety of answers. Yet this one hymn almost everyone will recognizeContinue reading “Broken Can’t Fix Broken”
Tears Unto Harvest
“ Hear and give ear; be not proud, for the Lord has spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the twilight mountains, and while you look for light he turns it into gloom and makes it deep darkness. But if you will not listen, myContinue reading “Tears Unto Harvest”
Ruined Undies
“Take the loincloth that you have bought, which is around your waist, and arise, go to the Euphrates and hide it there in a cleft of the rock. . . Then I went to the Euphrates, and dug, and I took the loincloth from the place where I had hidden it. And behold, the loinclothContinue reading “Ruined Undies”
A Divine Mulligan
“And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As the Lord lives,’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they shall be built up in the midst of my people. But if any nation will not listen, thenContinue reading “A Divine Mulligan”
The Right Side of the Fence
“Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from theirContinue reading “The Right Side of the Fence”
When Time Runs Out
“Therefore do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer on their behalf, for I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their trouble.” (Jeremiah 11:14, ESV) Prior to my call to the full-time ministry, I worked in manufacturing and engineering management positions. Having many yearsContinue reading “When Time Runs Out”
The Heart and Lasting Change
“Again the Lord said to me, “A conspiracy exists among the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words. They have gone after other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have brokenContinue reading “The Heart and Lasting Change”
Boldly Boasting
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice,Continue reading “Boldly Boasting”
Renewing the Heart 