We rise and fall in transitions. Changes can strengthen or destroy individuals and organizations. At the end of Deuteronomy, we come to the end of the Moses story and witness transitions. The leadership baton passes to Joshua. The pep rally speech reaches a conclusion, and it’s time for the people to begin entering their future [...]
Archive for the ‘Deuteronomy’ Category
Day 69: Deuteronomy 32-34
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Deuteronomy, Leadership, Relationships, tagged change, God, Joshua, life, mentors, Moses, Transitions, wisdom on November 8, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Day 67: Deuteronomy 28-29
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Deuteronomy, tagged blessings, curses, disobedience, obedience on November 6, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Chapter 28 is full of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, but the message is more than “Do this or I’ll spank you.” When we live in God’s will, life is better than it would be otherwise. That doesn’t mean we won’t have any difficulties. It doesn’t mean we’ll have perfect health or lots [...]
Day 65: Deuteronomy 21-23
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Deuteronomy, tagged life, Love, Marriage, Parenting on November 4, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
I have a loving wife, and my parents were patient with me as a hyper child. My marriage to Tamara was not the result of war. I did not kill her parents or tell her to shave her head or to get a new wardrobe. I noticed that she was a beautiful woman and was [...]
Day 64: Deuteronomy 17-20
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Deuteronomy, Leadership, tagged God, humility, leadership, ministry, purity, scripture on November 3, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
What are the characteristics of a faithful leader? In a ministry course with Harding School of Theology’s Dr. Dave Bland, I read a book by Roger Heuser and Norman Shawchuck and learned about a few ministry leadership essentials, like study of scripture, other spiritual disciplines (prayer, worship, etc.), wise discernment of priorities, teamwork, and love. [...]
Day 63: Deuteronomy 14-16
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Church, Deuteronomy, tagged Leory Garrett, Levites, ministry volunteers, paid ministers, Restoration Review, tithing on November 2, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Recently I overheard some people discussing whether churches should pay ministers. This conversation topic was popular in the Churches of Christ of the 1950s. A few years ago I wrote an encyclopedia article about a periodical that started in that era and said churches should not pay ministers. My post on October 28 said that [...]
Day 62: Deuteronomy 11-13
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Deuteronomy, Parenting, tagged children, example, life, Love, obedience, Parenting, role model on November 1, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Tamara and I are expecting our first child in May. That news has ushered me into a time of prayer and preparation. I’m reading a book about parenting, and experienced parents are happy to share their insights. I’m praying for the health and strength of the baby and the beautiful mother, and I’m growing to [...]
Day 61: Deuteronomy 8-10
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Deuteronomy, tagged future, God, good, hope, life, past, present on October 31, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Past, present, and future combine in belief and action. As I mentioned on September 24, our obedience to God is more than adherence to a list of things to do and not to do; it’s a response to God’s goodness. The good that God has done in the past is an impetus for people to [...]
Day 60: Deuteronomy 5-7
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Deuteronomy, tagged Family, influence, life, love the Lord your God, passing on the faith, Shema on October 30, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deut 6:4-5). “Verses 4-5, known as the Shema (the Hebrew for ‘hear’), remind us that where we begin as God’s people is with centering our [...]
