Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | January 31, 2013
Do you ever look back at your prayers in shame? An advantage to having a “good forgetter” is periodically I get surprised when reading the Bible. Forgetting what I know, the story becomes “new” again. What did I forget this time? That Israel forgot. The 10 Plagues are over, devastating Egypt economically and emotionally. Israel […]
PHall | January 29, 2013
Not a born leader, watching Moses “grow into” a servant leader is a humbling, possibly stressful and shaming lesson. If an 80 year old man can change…. What’s the secret? Serving, believing, affiliating, interceding, and getting personally involved. As placated by grace, before his first trip, “Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders […]
PHall | January 28, 2013
There are excuses, and there are reasons. Can a reason turn into an excuse? Can the reasonable become replaceable with faith, by Spirit given gifts? Going down to Egypt, every thought and word of Moses expresses hesitancy, inadequacy, and stubbornness (4.1-11); accompanied by grace-placated submission (Ex 4.14-17). After the mission successfully “fails” (4.21), Moses blames […]
PHall | January 27, 2013
If you plan to fail and you fail, did you fail or succeed? More than just a funny conundrum, the answer may be a little too close to home, too personal and applicable. Add to that this: If you don’t succeed according to how God wants you to succeed, did you fail or did God […]
PHall | January 25, 2013
When God calls, the Almighty doesn’t ask for resumes of our qualifications listing our skills, success rate, experience or education. God does not want our confidence in ourselves; God wants our confidence in Him. God doesn’t want our talents; God will give His gifts. God does not call the qualified; God qualifies the called. It’s […]
PHall | January 23, 2013
God remembers those who are His even when they forget they belong to God. Four hundred years ago, a small band consisting of a large family, moves to Egypt. All is well, but is not ending well. Political winds change and the family of the favored leader suffers. God’s blessings turn into a curse. Pharaoh’s […]
PHall | January 22, 2013
Death is knocking on your door; the family is gathered around your bed. Carefully you choose your last words, to be forever etched and echoing within your loved ones’ memories. Each family member approaches, and you share with them your last will and testament consisting only of words. In Patriarchal times, these are called blessings. […]
PHall | January 21, 2013
No prayers of Joseph or conversational interactions between him and God are recorded in Genesis. Neither are there examples of his “calling on the name of the Lord” or altar building. Since “Praying through the Bible” emphasizes prayer and prayer-like passages, should I include him? If I did, it would not be just because Joseph […]
PHall | January 19, 2013
Within Holy Writ, there are inspired scenes understandable and beyond comprehension. Some can only be discussed with educated or uneducated opinions, or “I don’t know’s.” Jacob’s wrestling with God (Gn 32.24-32) is “one of those.” Some, embarrassed by this awkward revelation, symbolize the wrestling as a dream or a prayer. So why is Jacob pictured […]
PHall | January 18, 2013
I need to be honest about two truths. First, I often feel inadequate in helping others when all I can do is pray. Then I spiritually flog myself for my unfaith. Am I more powerful than He who hears my prayers? Am I more loving and compassionate? Friends, there is nothing inadequate about prayer. Second, […]