Joy – The Arnold Journey

Basic Assumptions

Rev 21:4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” As we live in this world, we live based on assumptions about the very world in which we live. We assume that if weContinue reading “Basic Assumptions”

Luke 15:14 Lost and Found

Luke 15:14 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.” This familiar story, often called the parable of the Parodical Son, is the third parable in a row that emphasizesContinue reading “Luke 15:14 Lost and Found”

Speak! – Luke 1:20

Luke 1:20 “And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” Much is made today of “gender reveal” announcement parties. And in this age COVID, many have gone virtual. There seems to beContinue reading “Speak! – Luke 1:20”

1 Timothy 6:17 – Wealth?

1 Timothy 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Wealth sometimes gets a bad rap. It can be a tremendous toolContinue reading “1 Timothy 6:17 – Wealth?”

Ticked Off

Mark 10:14-15 When was the last time you were steaming mad? How often do you get steaming mad? I hope your answers to these two questions were, a long time ago, and not too often. Steaming mad raises your blood pressure, constricts your blood vessels and doesn’t allow you to think clearly. Not theContinue reading “Ticked Off”

Waiting Room

Proverbs 15:30 Have you ever had to wait in a hospital waiting room while someone you love is going through an operation? Those moments can be the longest moments on earth. You see the doctor walking down the hallway toward you, and you examine their face for the smallest hint that things went well.Continue reading “Waiting Room”

Timely Word

Proverbs 15:23 One of the small joys in life is being able to help someone who asks you a question, and you actually have a really good answer. And the answer you give is accepted and it is helpful. I’m not talking about a smart alec reply, one that makes you look smart andContinue reading “Timely Word”

Straight Line

Proverbs 15:21 When you don’t see the consequences of bad behavior, you can live in bliss for a moment. And some people live with no regard to the future. They rarely, if ever, think of the consequences. Our proverb says that they will have joy, the same kind of joy that is the temporaryContinue reading “Straight Line”

Laughing at a Funeral

Proverbs 14:13 The expression of one emotion does not mean that other, even seemingly contradictory emotion, does not exist. Our emotions are very transient. They can change in a moment. But a change from one emotion to another does not mean that there is a permanent shift away from the first to the second. EmotionContinue reading “Laughing at a Funeral”

The Thirty’s

Psalm 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 A man in relief mode. That’s what Psalm 30 records. Notice the bubbling over of emotion directed toward the LORD. He is so thankful to have been healed. While he was going through the suffering it seemed to last forever. But when he looks back at it, it isContinue reading “The Thirty’s”