Ever since Adam and Eve, we face breaches or disunity in relationships. There are between husbands and wives, parents and children, in the church and between various cultures in our cities. In the times of Judges, we see many examples, especially in the concluding two chapters of this book. Israel from Dan to Beersheba, including…
On Apr. 20, 1999, 12 students, one teacher and the two student killers were victims at Columbine. This incident shocked America. How could seemingly normal high school students be so violent? Experts concluded that the alienation in these killers should have been addressed earlier. Since Columbine, schools all over the nation reinforced their security measures. More…
People develop a “feel-good” religion when they do what is right in their own eyes without Biblical standards. In a 2009 year-end report, George Barna writes, “Bible reading has become the religious equivalent of sound-bite journalism. When people read from the Bible they typically open it, read a brief passage without much regard for the…
A 2009 summary of Barna’s insights gleaned from research on the church shows it is “relatively rare to find someone who is an exemplar of the Christian faith.” Young adults, in particular, conclude that “you cannot be a Christian without adopting the institutional framework and limitations of the Christian world.” Barna also discovered that the…
Our preoccupation with sex has degenerated with recent news outlets saying young female starlets are seeing their careers take off because of sex tapes. Will this really help them? Samson’s sexual temptation beginning in Judges 14-15 bears bitter fruit in Judges 16, which fulfills an old and true saying: “Sin always takes you farther than…
I used to think everything was black or white. While growing older, I discovered much gray. Because reality contains complexity and nuances, issues of life don’t fit common stereotypes. God told Micah to follow three things because they were good for him: do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God in a society…
I have put God in a box by trying to figure out how God’s sovereignty fits with man’s responsibility. Our human mind can’t fully comprehend this wonderful truth. God uses my wrong choices to accomplish His will. Because God’s ways are so high, I don’t understand it. Judges 14 shows how Samson’s unwise decisions accomplished…
I grew up in a home that emphasized getting good grades and pursuing a career. Parents today seem obsessed in getting their children into a variety of sports, music and other extra-curricular activities so they can get ahead. In today’s passage, you observe people getting their identity in work and achievements. God has a better…
I have always enjoyed the underdog in sporting events. I usually root for the team not picked to win. This is why people enjoy movies like Rocky where a boxer overcomes great odds to become a champion. Jephthah was also an underdog since he was a son of a harlot along with being a valiant…
This week I went to the Toyota dealer to get a steering part replaced on a recall. They also gave me a free four-wheel alignment. It’s amazing how the car drives straighter and smoother. In a similar way, each of us need spiritual alignment in our personal lives. When people don’t accept divine guidance, they run…
I hate division and animosity, whether it occurs in a family, church or the workplace. I have experienced disunity in each of these spheres. Destroyed relationships feel like something died within you. When cooperation, humility and unity occur, it feels like the cool breeze on a hot day or soaking in a hot tub after…
In recent years, government is open to churches providing needed social services because of reduced budgets and its large untapped quantity of volunteers. To date, churches two main approaches to service are donating small amounts of cash or in-kind goods to other service delivery groups, or providing small groups of volunteers to conduct well-defined, periodic tasks….