Murder – The Arnold Journey

2 Samuel 13:28 Banished

2 Samuel 13:28 Absalom ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.” Justice and revenge can sometimes look like cousins. It can be hard to tellContinue reading “2 Samuel 13:28 Banished”

Joshua 20:3 Senseless

Joshua 20:3 so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood. I am sure you have heard of the senseless killings that are capturing the headlines these days. It is not that there are more than any other time in our history, butContinue reading “Joshua 20:3 Senseless”

Demand for Justice – Numbers 35:34

Numbers 35:34 “Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.’” Have you ever had someone very important visit your home? What kind of preparations did you do before the event? If someone important were to stop by your home in the next hour,Continue reading “Demand for Justice – Numbers 35:34”

Succession of Kings

1 Kings 16:8 8 In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years. One of the elements of our society that we often take for granted here in the United States is that we have elections. Our leaders are chosen byContinue reading “Succession of Kings”

Momentary or Lasting Hate

1 John 3:15 Hate is a serious thing. It leads to all sorts of awful outcomes if it is allowed to fester and if it is given power to act. When hatred is fanned into flame it can destroy nations. Hatred can be fanned for generations and become part of a culture. The “OneContinue reading “Momentary or Lasting Hate”

The Power of Love

1 John 3:11-12 We often feel that hatred is more powerful than love. Hatred shows up in the headlines. Hatred makes for better stories, feeding our fears and anxieties. When stories of love are told, we are led to believe that love is so extraordinary that mere mortals like ourselves could never be thatContinue reading “The Power of Love”

What have you passed on?

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Several years ago I found an exercise that helped me focus my energies in life. It was while I was working with very ill hospital patients. If there is one thing terminal illness can do is to focus us on what is really important. Patients and family members just want to sayContinue reading “What have you passed on?”