Author: Scott

You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. Exodus 22:21 When I was in high school, like everyone, we had our rivalries with other nearby towns. When, on a Saturday night, the guys from those other towns came to Beresford – yes Beresford – they…
Read more

But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. Exodus 21:23 It’s not uncommon for those who’re incarcerated to become desperately interested in God and what he might do for them.…
Read more

You shall not make gods of silver to be with me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold. . . If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it. Exodus 20:23-25 What’s the point of…
Read more

Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest…
Read more

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s. Exodus 20:17 Many times, I’ve been asked about my motivation for using opioids. Why did you do it? What hole were…
Read more

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16 A while back, someone posted something on social media about me that was critical of my performance as a physician. My name wasn’t mentioned but it was unmistakably about me. I’m sure this person didn’t think it would get back to me, but it…
Read more

You shall not steal. Exodus 20:15 This is one of those blogs that I’d rather not write. It can be terribly shameful to admit the sins of my past. But, here goes . . . As I was pontificating on the eight commandment last night – You shall not steal – I struggled to come…
Read more

You shall not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14 My wife and I recently wrapped up a marriage small group study at our church. At our final meeting, we reflected upon the improbability of us leading a marriage study nine years ago. Nine years ago our marriage was still reeling from the disastrous consequences of my addiction.…
Read more

You shall not murder. Exodus 20:13 The other day, as I went to make a turn at an intersection, I offended another driver. It’s an awkward intersection that I won’t try to explain, but I don’t know how I could have avoided it. Still, this guy was enraged, yelling, pointing, and gesticulating wildly. There was…
Read more

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God.  Exodus 20:8 Several years ago, a buddy and I began curling as an activity to do with our teenage sons. We formed a team and…
Read more