A sweet aroma

A writer for Leadership Journal recounted the following story: Deep-sea divers recently recovered a leather case containing 40 small vials of perfume oil from the wreck of the Titanic. The little bottles, which probably would have been sold in New York as the ingredients for cologne, belonged to a businessman from Manchester, England. When they […]

He will not change

That we live in different times than the generation(s) that preceded us seems self-evident. But the case of a certain John Fisher and Lizzie Clark, two strangers on a train near Atlantic City near the beginning of the 20th century reveals just how much change has taken place. This, according to the New York Times, […]

What about polygamy in the OT?

This morning in our daily Bible reading, we read again of a number of polygamists among the kings of Israel and Judah. It seems so incongruous — God’s leaders in clear violation of God’s Word. So what is the view of Scripture toward polygamy? How can men who were involved in polygamy seem to be […]

Be on the alert

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Cor. 16:13; NASB) It was a simple task. Two bushes. One set of hedge clippers. One hour. No problem. I dove into the job with vigor. I really do enjoy trimming bushes and trees — I enjoy seeing the speedy […]

Memories

Memories. The first day of school. The first date with your wife. The night your child was born. The funeral of your best friend. The aching regret of a mistake, a sin, that cannot be undone. Water skiing on the lake with friends. The smell of hot-dogs and popcorn that takes you in your mind’s […]

Still studying

During a dinner party conversation, the neighbor of Albert Einstein asked the white-haired physicist, “What are you actually, by profession?” “I devote myself to the study of physics,” replied Einstein. The girl was astonished: “You mean to say that you study physics at your age? I finished mine a year ago!” What that poor young […]

Reading Hosea

Hosea is one of the most unusual books in Scripture. It has to be labeled as such since the bitter marriage of the prophet Hosea to his prostitute wife stands as a picture of the tragic relationship between the gracious God and His disobedient and rebellious people. The tendency is for readers to align themselves […]

Reading Song of Solomon

Today we began reading the Song of Solomon — a book that for many centuries has been read as typical of Christ’s love for His bride, the church. However, that is not how Israelites would have read the book 1000 years before the time of Christ. And, since the best way to read and understand […]

Enjoy life with your God-given wife

Today there are many helpful resources to help couples in their marriages. My shelves are filled with books and resources and I have several large files full of additional articles and resources. And of all the resources you might be drawn to for marriage, one author that might not immediately spring to mind is Solomon. […]

How to profit from your Bible reading

Bible reading is profitable. Sometimes it’s more profitable than at other times. How might we read the Scriptures so we received the greatest value from them? How about starting with a commitment? Saving money, losing weight, driving the speed limit, and speaking graciously all begin with a commitment to consistently follow through on a particular […]

God, please don’t give me too much

The “fish story” is the poster-child for exaggeration. The longer the fish is dead, the bigger it grows. But fishermen are not the only ones who are prone to stretching the boundaries of a story. A 25-pound weight loss creeps up to 30, then 35 or more. Salaries often “grow” even when there haven’t been […]

As a man thinks…

A quick trip to the local bookstore and even a superficial perusal of the food section will yield a plethora of books on dieting and eating designed to help the reader change his habits of consumption. The tenor of the books? “You are what you eat.” “Eat right to live right.” Or as is commonly […]

A little sleep, a little slumber…

A number of years ago, La-Z-Boy developed a new recliner: it had the “usual” amenities of a six-motor heated massager, a speaker phone, and holders for both drinks and chips. But for those who really wanted to indulge their quest for relaxation, they could also purchase one with a digital answering machine and built-in modem […]

Your soul’s best interest

Our Scripture reading this morning included some of Solomon’s counsel to his son — Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the LORD always. Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off. (Prov. 23:17-18) There is a relationship, this wise father advises, between an […]

God’s love for His own

Romans 7 speaks of the problem of indwelling sin in the life of the believer. He has a new disposition that wants to do good, but he still has the nature of the flesh that does the things he does not want to do (and doesn’t do the things he wants to do). But thanks […]