Solitude has many benefits, spiritually and generally. But it can also have negative effects. Thomas Jefferson knew the downsides of solitude first hand. After an extended season of retreat at Monticello, Jefferson wrote: "I am convinced our own happiness requires that we should continue to mix with the world, and to keep pace with it…. I can speak from experience on … [Read more...] about Jefferson on the Dangers of Solitude
Articles
Finding the Grace, Praying the Gratitude
Each day is layered with grace upon grace. But in the rush and grumbles of life we may not notice these layers. Tyler Staton provides one possible antidote to our oblivion. Staton relays a helpful prayer practice to reveal these layers of grace and to produce gratitude. The practice is called dayenu (die-EE-new) prayer. Dayenu is a Hebrew word that means something … [Read more...] about Finding the Grace, Praying the Gratitude
Giant Problem
In the story of 1 Samuel 17, we meet a giant problem. And it has a name: Goliath. The man was huge. The English Standard Version says his height was "six cubits and a span," which means he was over nine feet tall. His armor weighed five thousand shekels, which is 125 pounds, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels, which is 15 pounds. The weight of his gear … [Read more...] about Giant Problem
King Ambivalence
In 1 Samuel 8:4–7, we read, “[4] Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah [5] and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” [6] But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the LORD. [7] And the … [Read more...] about King Ambivalence
Written Word of God
The notes below are excerpted from a recent sermon at Immanuel Church on the Written Word of God (a.k.a, the Bible) based off the passage 2 Timothy 3:16a: "All scripture is breathed out by God..." (ESV). I hope the information will be helpful to you. Please let me know in the comments if you have any questions or feedback. Blessings! dg 1. What does “breathed … [Read more...] about Written Word of God