Blog

Fighting About the Boat Lift

She fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant.” 1 Samuel 25:24 A couple weeks ago, my wife and I were letting the boat down off the boat lift when it began to creak,…
Read more

The Sore Winner

“Swear to me therefore by the LORD that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” And David swore this to Saul. 1 Samuel 24:21-22 I’m not that competitive of a person . . . until it comes to the gym.…
Read more

When I Played Hockey

He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.” 1 Samuel 24:17 In college, one Minnesota winter, all my friends would get together every day after class and go play hockey on one of the many nearby ice rinks. I knew nothing…
Read more

You’re Making Me Angry

I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. 1 Samuel 24:11 On my way to work at the jail yesterday morning, I stopped at a specific gas station, which I knew had s’mores coffee – my current seasonal favorite – for a limited time. For whatever reason, this s’mores…
Read more

The Dozen Donut Diet

And Saul said, “May you be blessed by the LORD, for you have had compassion on me.” 1 Samuel 23:21 There’s a primitive part of my brain that is all impulse and desire, always seeking that which will make me feel good right now: Food, Sex, Drugs. Keeping this primitive brain in check, is the…
Read more

Hope

And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.”1 Samuel 23:17 When I was at my absolute lowest, having destroyed everything I loved with my drug…
Read more

When Our Snow Fort Sank

Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the LORD said, “They will surrender you.” 1 Samuel 23:12 Over the years, my kids and I have built numerous snow sculptures and forts out on the frozen lake. One winter, as we aspired to build…
Read more

Childhood Fears vs. Adult Reality

Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has given him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.” And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.…
Read more

What Do I Need to Change?

Therefore David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” 1 Samuel 23:2 Often, while talking with those very early in recovery, usually after some terrible consequences convinced them to stop using drugs for a few days, I’ll hear something like this – I’m never going to use again. I think that’s…
Read more

Authentic Friends

Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. 1 Samuel 22:23 I’m not a natural extrovert. I love people, but in single doses. A big party, where I must make small talk with twenty or thirty people, wipes me out. At such an event, you’ll probably find…
Read more