You may remember at the end of the book of Job, God takes Job’s three friends to task for their false accusations and for the way they failed to help Job during a time of tremendous duress. God then commands them to go make a sacrifice of repentance. At the same time, God also commands […]
Psalm 63 is attributed to King David. In this psalm, he makes the beautiful claim: “My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast when I think about you… and meditate on you in the watches of the night…” My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast… when I meditate on you… That’s a […]
Keith Miller tells a wonderful story about a busy executive in an eastern city who was rushing to catch a commuter train one morning. The executive had an important meeting at the office, and he needed to make this train in order to get there on time. Just as he was about to board the […]
I love the prophet Jeremiah. He comes across as very human. He argues with God. He praises God. He weeps and he rejoices—sometimes all in a matter of a single day! In fact, in chapter 20, in the space of a mere three verses, he accuses God, sings praises to God, and curses the day […]
I remember a number of years ago attending the memorial service of a gentleman who had given very generously to our church. He wasn’t a member and didn’t even attend, but his gift made a huge impact. I also knew that he had given generously to several hospitals and charities in our community. He had […]
When Jesus was asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” He replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law […]
Hebrews 12 begins: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…” I love this imagery of being surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses—a group of people who have been touched by God’s grace. They are those who […]
I recently heard Dacher Keltner relate a story about Malcolm Young, who was the Dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. He said that when Malcolm was in sixth grade, he and his classmates traveled to Ashland, Oregon, where they camped at night. “At four o’clock one morning, Malcolm woke up and couldn’t sleep. He […]
It is said that longtime actress and comedian Gracie Allen once received a small, live alligator as a practical joke. Not knowing what to do with it, she placed it in the bathtub and left for an appointment. When she returned home, she found this note from her maid: “Dear Miss Allen: Sorry, but I […]
Friend of Dial Hope, I have a confession to make. Are you ready for this? I am an in-curable hoper and I want you to follow suit. I have a bias that no problem on earth is ever truly insoluble; problems are opportunities filled with possibilities. I do everything in my power to solve problems […]
