PHall | February 22, 2016
Jeremiah supported Josiah’s reforms despite his family’s objections (Jer.11:26; 12:6). This might seem obvious and unimportant considering Jeremiah was a prophet. And yet…. Let’s look at Jeremiah’s religious and political heritage. His father was Hilkiah. It is frequently suggested his father’s family had been deprived of the right to practice their profession by Josiah’s sweeping […]
Category: Jeremiah |
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PHall | January 7, 2016
The Ten Commandments warn, “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain” (Ex.20:7). Jesus reasoned in the model prayer, “Holy is your name” (Mt.6:9). Paul writes, “The name of God is blasphemed…because of you” (Rom.2:24). This goes far beyond but includes how we speak: 1) Do we promise something in God’s name and renege? 2) […]
Category: Matthew, Romans, Exodus |
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Tags: Sermon on the Mount
PHall | January 2, 2016
A Real Man Is a Paradigm that is Not Perfect (Genesis 1:26,27,31) A Real Man Is a Purposed Creation That Needs Guidance (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7) A Real Man Is a Provider But Not Just A Paycheck (Genesis 2:15; 3:17-19) A Real Man Is a Proclaimer of Truth Still Learning From Others (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-3) A […]
Category: Genesis |
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Tags: Marriage
PHall | December 28, 2015
Abbreviated Chiasm A – ADAM IS INTIMATE WITH HIS WIFE (1a) B – CAIN ENTERS (1b) C – CAIN AND THE GROUND (2-3) D – ABEL AND BLOOD (4) E – GOD REJECTS CAIN (5a) F– CAIN CONTROLLED BY EMOTIONS (5b-6) G – MORAL OF THE STORY (7a) G’ – MORAL OF THE STORY (7b) […]
Category: Genesis |
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Tags: Chiasm
PHall | December 28, 2015
Jonah tried to flee from God by boat to Tarshish. We mock his primitive thinking. Our method of hiding is much superior. We hide from God in our prayers by pretending our motives are different than they really are. I wonder, however, if our method is more insulting to God. Jonah tried to flee from […]
Category: Jonah |
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PHall | December 23, 2015
Before a psalm is taken apart and analyzed, each needs to be experienced, even felt, as our emotions overflow and overtake our minds. We need to allow the Psalms to take apart our lives as it takes part in our lives. To experience Psalm 6 we have to experience the pain and the praise. To […]
Category: Psalms |
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Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible
PHall | December 22, 2015
My morning prayer: “Dear Lord, thank you for two layers of covers (it is winter), a bathroom close to my bed (I am getting old), and a hand to hold while I sleep” (I am still very much in love). You might be thinking this prayer’s contents are first mundane, then TMI, and finally sweet. […]
Category: Psalms |
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Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible
PHall | December 10, 2015
We all care what others think of us. Some admit it. Some are controlled by it. Others react against it. We can pretend we don’t care; but other’s words and opinions often hurt. The cloaked emotional crisis is what others think can lead beyond thoughts and words; dangerous actions can result, sometimes by “me.” Psalm […]
Category: Psalms |
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Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible
PHall | December 8, 2015
The best French fries are at Ollie’s Trolley. I got to eat these growing up when my father would take me to his workplace. One Saturday he did not take me, so I gathered my friends, and we stormed his office. My father’s friends looked out the window. Seeing us on the march they warned […]
Category: Psalms |
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Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible
PHall | December 1, 2015
Scratched into a wall in Germany during World War II by someone hiding from the Nazi’s are these faithful words: I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I am alone. I believe in God even when He is silent. Nothing may be more frightening than […]
Category: Job |
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Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible