Solomon seized the reins of wrong and drove his glistening chariot of gold onto the misty flats of licentiousness, pride, lust, profanity, and paganism. Silently, gradually, like eroding soil near the banks of a deep, angry river, he began to believe the lie that has captured many a top executive . . . or super salesperson . . . or successful physician . . . or athletic prima donna . . . or film star . . . or TV celebrity.
Read MoreTag Archives: First Kings
Unwise Cracks
“There are no exceptions to the rule that everybody likes to be an exception to the rule.” This quip seems especially true for exceptional individuals. Take Solomon for example. God told him, “I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one […]
Read MoreThe Value of Good Counsel
Holding my speed, two miles per hour is appropriate for passing a moored boat. Doing everything right as far as I can tell. The bridge ahead is flanked by trees and the shade of the evening light casts darkness beyond the bridge’s far side, but I can see well enough to know there are no […]
Read MoreSeasoned Wisdom for the Seasons of Life
If you were told that you could have dinner with three people out of anyone you could name – the chance to bounce questions; to float ideas; to gain some understanding – whom would you choose? One of my choices would be Solomon. What a character he must have been! What stories he could tell, […]
Read MoreSolomon’s Glory
Almost a thousand years before Christ, Solomon inherited the throne of Israel from his father David. Let’s look for a moment at the young king’s attitude as the burden of sovereignty settled on his shoulders. We read in 1 Kings 3 that once all the dust of the coronation had cleared, Solomon went to Gibeon, […]
Read MoreErosion
I remember only two things from my high school chemistry class. First, I got rid of a wart on the back of my right hand through applications of sulfuric acid for thirty-three consecutive days. Second, I watched the slow death of a frog in an unforgettable experiment. My teacher placed the hapless creature in an […]
Read MoreThe Reckless Phony
LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. (Psalm 15:1-2) Read 1 Kings 11:1-6. Mark Twain said, “Everyone is a moon and has a dark side which he never shows anybody.”1 Phony living could happen […]
Read MoreFree to Be Funny
Next to musical tastes among believers the use of humour has got to be one of the most controversial. As a pastor and as a Christian I have had almost as many discussions about what is acceptable and funny as I have had about music. Some would say humour, like music, defies analysis. It is […]
Read MoreFunny Truth
1 Kings 18:1-46 Maybe I’m weird, but there are times the Bible makes me laugh. I mean really laugh. The older I get and the more comfortable I feel in the Book, the more I find times when a smiling response is not only appropriate, it’s expected. Like that time when the main event at […]
Read MoreHope in the Face of Doubt
Have you ever had a “mountaintop experience”? This term can be taken literally, figuratively, or even spiritually. If you have experienced the spiritual mountaintop, you are probably also familiar with the spiritual valley. These low places can be emotionally taxing and sometimes take the form of discouragement or even depression. Mountaintop highs and valley lows […]
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