Posts with the category “becoming-people-of-understanding”

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Being a Sanctuary
June 30th, 2021
Our journey through Psalm 73 has brought us to a turnaround point for Asaph. He describes it as a time when he “went into the sanctuary of God” (Ps. 73:17). New observations began to take root in his ...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Light Breaks Through: The Sanctuary of God and a New Perspective (Psalm 73)
June 2nd, 2021
We’ve moved slowly through the first half of Psalm 73, noting Asaph’s lament over the prosperity of the wicked. And we’ve sought to extract truth and wisdom to apply to today, in our own lives and in ...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Yes, It Can Happen Here. And It Has. (Psalm 73)
May 12th, 2021
Asaph served and wrote during the years of King David’s reign in Jerusalem (1000-962 B.C.), and in part of Solomon’s reign thereafter. By and large these were good years for the nation. Times of milit...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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How is Good to be Measured? (Psalm 73)
May 12th, 2021
Asaph’s Psalm 73 lament understandably is magnified by what he observes among his own people and their leaders. He finds them, the chosen people of God, drifting away from God’s Law and often adopting...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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When the Past is a Trap (Psalm 73)
April 26th, 2021
And so it has come to this. Our friend Asaph, a godly man and leader, confesses something that is hard for us to believe. Does he truly mean that he views his life with some regret? That he may have m...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Why Should the Rantings of the Wicked Matter?
April 21st, 2021
We’re seeing that Asaph’s lament in Psalm 73 arises from what he perceives as the “prosperity of the wicked” (vs. 3). Note his observations of the wicked. They seem prosperous, healthy, successful, at...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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The Prosperity of the Wicked: Asaphs Lament (Psalm 73)
April 12th, 2021
We’ve watched our friend Asaph set the foundation for his Psalm 73 lament. He has proclaimed steadfast trust in God’s goodness (vs. 1), and shared deep doubt and despair over something he can’t reconc...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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My Feet Had Almost Stumbled: Psalm 73 (part two of several)
April 8th, 2021
This experience should be familiar to anyone who might be reading with us. In so many ways, small or large, the events of life can appear not to fit our concept of a powerful, wise, and loving God. If...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Truly God is Good: A Journey Through Psalm 73 (part one of several)
April 5th, 2021
A Journey Through Psalm 73 (part one of several).Written by: Pete McClanathanTruly God is Good: A Journey Through Psalm 73 (part one of several)Our discussion of sin and idolatry (Gen. 3 and beyond) h...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Beyond Genesis 3: Are Things Really Any Different?
March 23rd, 2021
Consider that the entire content of scripture from Genesis 4 through Revelation deals with this theme: man’s captivity by sin, overlaid with God’s plan of redemption....  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Outside of the Garden: What Now?
March 23rd, 2021
There we have it. Even before the many physical curses that soon were to come (the ground, work, childbirth, even physical death), Adam and Eve experienced a terrible and wholly unexpected consequence...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Stop, Look, Listen: The Price of Sinful Choices
March 3rd, 2021
When we last left Eve and Adam they had just completed the sorry progression of temptation and disobedience. The result was a disaster for them and for human history. The whole of scripture following...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Stop, Look, Listen: The Anatomy of Temptation and Idolatry
March 1st, 2021
I had intended to use this article to work on identifying idols in our own lives, using some of the examples presented earlier. But as I was preparing, it became clear that there is one more foundatio...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Stop, Look, Listen: Clarity is Emerging
February 17th, 2021
Before we begin, a few words to those who’ve come through the two previous articles. First, nice work. If you’ve treated these topics seriously and stepped into the scriptures and discussion with us,...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Stop, Look, Listen: The Trap of Tunnel Vision
February 17th, 2021
These words appear in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, right on the heels of his warnings against judging. Understanding and heeding this passage is the linchpin to softening and healing interpersonal or g...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Stop, Look, Listen: An Interlude to Examine and Strengthen Our Foundations
February 8th, 2021
You’ve probably noticed that we’re moving deeper into the complex subject of how the Bible addresses human relationships. If taken seriously, we’re finding that the Word of God is abundantly filled wi...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Stop, Look, Listen: Critical Judgments and Matthew 7
February 1st, 2021
A Christian man who loves sports is challenged harshly by a non-sports-loving friend. The rebuke centers around accusations of the man’s misplaced priorities before God....  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Stop, Look: Beginning the Practice of Applying Biblical Warnings to Real Life
January 29th, 2021
We’ve been uncovering how the Bible speaks clearly to matters of human conduct and relationship. Its words are directed particularly to those in the body of Christ....  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Stop. Look. Listen: Do Our Words Pierce or Do They Bring Healing?
January 18th, 2021
We live in times that can feel difficult. And often they are. No argument there. Difficult times and difficult people can press us emotionally. Fear, pain, regret, anger...they all can lead us to plac...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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What Was Worship Like After the Fall?
January 6th, 2021
We are given little information about the form of worship of God following Gen. 3:6-7 (the fall). We do know that it took place in spite of there being no tabernacle, temple, or synagogue, and withou...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Understanding Wrong Worship Through the Wisdom of Colossians: Part 1
December 16th, 2020
If you’ve been studying along with us in this series, you’re seeing the development of a theme. One that involves basic issues found throughout the Bible. Idolatry, wrong worship, putting off the old ...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Friendship with the World: What is the Big Deal?
November 23rd, 2020
Preparing this article has felt like trying to clear vines and underbrush from among a forest of trees. Not that I’ve ever tried to clear a woods, but it seems similar. All around we find majestic oak...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Thy Will Be Done (Really?)
October 14th, 2020
Recent Sunday morning teachings, as part of the First 40 Days prayer journey, have reacquainted us with familiar words in Matthew 6. What we’ve come to call the “Lord’s Prayer” is best understood as a...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Becoming People of Understanding
October 7th, 2020
Encouragement always carries the challenge of faith and trust, seeing beyond our own circumstances and understanding. And biblical challenge always contains encouragement if we look below the surface ...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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Can We Really Allow Difficult Circumstances To Become Opportunities?
September 30th, 2020
Can We Really Allow Difficult Times and Hardships To Become (Unrequested and Maybe Unwelcome) Opportunities?Written by: Pete McClanathan“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of vario...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman
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You Mean I Was a Part of the Domain of Darkness?
September 23rd, 2020
As we make our way through the current sermon series in the rich book of Colossians, certain words and ideas jump out and demand further thought. Such is the case with Col. 1:13-14:...  Read More
by Samantha Wichman

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