Latest Posts

When Helping Grieves the Lord

The LORD was so furious with Uzzah, he killed him on the spot for his negligence. 2 Samuel 6:7 To read more of my reflections on 2 Samuel 6, click here. The word ḥârâ used for furious in this passage not only means to grow angry, but also to be grieved. This word has stuck with me in recent days.  What if our helping grieves the Lord? I recently stood with two dear African friends… Read More

Leadership Longevity

To read more in my series of reflections on 2 Samuel 6:;1-18, click here and here. David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How will the Ark of the Lord ever come to me?” 2 Samuel 6:10 When the day started, David was full of hope. After a long road of battle and loss, grief and sorrow, he was finally taking his place as king in Jerusalem. But he wanted his reign… Read More

Holiness Ignored

To read the first in my series of reflections on 2 Samuel 6:1-18, click here.   He died right there beside the ark of God. 2 Samuel 6:7 When holiness is ignored loss is inevitable. The ark of God represented the very presence of God among His people. He gave careful instructions in Numbers 7:9 about its transport. It was to be carried on poles, supported on the shoulders of the Kohathites. Not even the… Read More

Let it Alone

And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 2 Samuel 6:6 Helping can hurt. The ark of God represented God’s holy presence. Not even the priests were allowed to touch it. But as they trundled over the uneven surface of the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah automatically reached out to… Read More

Hope for a Saturday Morning Song

  The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water. He restores my strength. Psalm 23:1-3     Hope for a Saturday Morning Song   A song hums low  Behind the noise Beneath the chaos Invitation to joy.   A narrated song With video I see the images A picture show.   A happy list Of things to do Not things I must But… Read More

Even Though

I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. 1 Timothy 1:12-13 If Paul had stopped his sentence after the word ministry, he would have been no different from the Pharisees in their religious pride of position. Yet he continued. …even though I was formerly a… Read More

A Song for the Light of the World

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 Across the earth, each day begins with a song for the Light of the World. The birds have been commanded and commissioned to announce the joyful news that the Light of the World has come. In Kenya, birds sing a ballad that… Read More

Little Seed

for so many little acorns waiting in the dark. Little Seed   Silent little seed Deep in the dark Buried.   Decaying little seed All that you once were Decomposed.   Surrendered little seed Still and waiting Hoping.   Poor little seed Silence stretching long Inertia.   Surprised little seed Life is thrumming through you Upward.   Tough little seed Pushing through your casket Breakthrough.   Blinded little seed Emerging into brilliance Light.   Growing… Read More

Keep Your Love Stretched Out

for Nat, who has stretched out her love for me over decades. And above all, keep your love for one another fervent…  …because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:21-23 Stretching keeps us from injury. In my first year as a serious runner, I hadn’t learned this important lesson. I ran out the door and down the road thinking I could run the distance on my sheer motivation and dedication, my belief in… Read More

What Must We Do to be Doing?

Then they said to him, “What must we do to be doing the works of God?” John 6:28   Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched. Don’t get the cart before the horse. Learn to walk before you run. Look before you leap.   Come and believe before… Read More