SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 11 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger. [1 Samuel 11:6] Anger is a burning fire, to be handled with care. In this messed up world, anger is unavoidable, there are many things that ought to make us angry. I’ve experienced times when,…
a response to consumer religion
Remember the post with the cartoon two weeks ago entitled “consumer religion”. And remember the great discussion it provoked? Well one person spent some time reflecting on how better to frame the picture, how to pain Jesus community as He would desire it to be. Linda Wielinga adapted an image used by the CRWRC (Christian…
power to heal?
quenching the Spirit
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 10 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. [1 Samuel 10:9] Yesterday I said God doesn’t change peoples’ character, or force them to act contrary to their desire. What about this verse, where God changes Saul’s heart? Not sure that I can explain this,…
hard passages!?
You are building a relationship with a non-christian, one that is genuinely reading the bible to understand better what you believe. Things have been going well, they are getting a positive sense of God’s love and Jesus’ mission. But then they happen along 1 Samuel 15, and crash into the opening words: Samuel said to Saul, “I…
God’s part, and ours
November 2, 2009 SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 9 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Now the day before Saul came, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel: ‘About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked…
I vote for Jesus!
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 8 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Samuel said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. [1 Samuel 8:11] The people are doing what God said they would do [Deuteronomy 17:14-20]. But be careful…
Land Restored
This week Linda Wielinga has offered to share her reflections on the bible passages. Linda is from Port Perry, teaches art at Durham Christian High School, and is a participant in the Eastern Canada Leadership Development Network. I Samuel 7 The ark of the Lord is returned and Eleazor is consecrated to take care of…
did you feel the mountains tremble?
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 7 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. [1 Samuel 7:10] The basic idea of this passage is that the…