Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | October 17, 2014
The phrase is not written in Scripture, but the idea is: Traveling Grace. The idea is spiritual and simple, asking God for safe travels. Most times, most of us probably are too harried by preparation – and kids – and exhausted from the trip upon return, to immediately ask or thank God for “traveling grace.” […]
PHall | October 16, 2014
“God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” Ever hear that? Along those lines, good hearted people encourage others by showing the shortcomings of God’s greatest servants: Abraham was a liar; Sarah a mocker; Jacob a cheater; Moses an excuse maker; Miriam a racist; David a sex maniac; Jonah was prejudiced; Gideon was […]
PHall | October 14, 2014
Imagine what it had to be like. No, I don’t think it possible. It’s good to try, sometimes. Sometimes we just need to accept instead of explaining and failing. Hoping to help by empathizing, compassion ignorantly says, “I know how you feel.” Thankfully most don’t know the tragedy personally. “If I were you,” some boldly […]
PHall | October 13, 2014
OK, it bothers me. It’s not there and should be. Have you ever felt that way about a Bible story; that something essential is missing? It is recorded about lesser kings; even mostly evil ones. It is recorded about equally great kings; even emphasized. So why is it missing in Josiah’s story? Maybe it isn’t. […]
PHall | October 9, 2014
Evil. “He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight” (2 Chronicles 33.2). No other word better describes Manasseh; but there are plenty of unworthy contenders. Disappointing. Following one of Judah’s greatest kings, Manasseh reversed his father’s restoration. “He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had torn down” (33.3). Unfaithful. He imitated “the detestable […]
PHall | October 3, 2014
So you think you are something, a big shot, someone special? Now, you would never vocalize that out loud, you’re too “humble;” and never even think you think that…at least not consciously. Nonetheless, facts are facts. Pride can manifest itself in many ways: blowhard boasting, walking with an arrogant air, or looking down with disdain […]
PHall | October 2, 2014
“After these faithful deeds, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities and intended to break into them” (2 Chronicles 32.1-2). The Assyrians were a war-machine to be feared. Sennacherib describes his trap: “As for Hezekiah, the Judean who did not submit to my yoke, I surrounded and […]
PHall | September 30, 2014
Unity is a joy; worship a privilege. Ending religious division takes work, often ending in partial success. Restoring right ways takes work, of the hands and heart; often the heart heals faster than the hands can work. Becoming king, Hezekiah sends couriers north, inviting apostates passed over in the Assyrian deportation. Despite their spiritually rebellious […]
PHall | July 23, 2014
Three kings in a row, three generations, three battles, and three prayers. If this pattern had held true for every king, in every situation, then Judah would not have been exiled into a foreign abyss. Abijah, Asa, and now Jehoshaphat all rely upon God during times of national distress. A later king, Hezekiah, will do […]
PHall | July 18, 2014
If you could have any super-power, what would you choose? Let me suggest an unusual one; that once a lesson is learned, you never forget it. Gone would be the days of parents asking, “How many times have I told you?!” The answer would be “Only once!” More importantly, we would never forget God’s lessons. […]