Blog

And David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul.” 1 Samuel 22:22 A couple years ago, upon leaving an organization, someone in that organization questioned my loyalty. I had my reasons for leaving. I felt then, and I still feel now, that…
Read more

Then the king said to Doeg, “You turn and strike the priests.” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five persons who wore the linen ephod. 1 Samuel 22:18 Working with those addicted to gambling, I learned a lot about those self-destructive behaviors that are typical…
Read more

Join us on Sunday mornings at the Spicer Movie Theater to watch Eagle Brook church together on the big screen. Eagle Brook is a megachurch, based in the Twin Cities with multiple campuses in the state and viewing groups (people who get together to watch online) all over the country. Visit: https://www.eaglebrookchurch.com to find out…
Read more

And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. 1 Samuel 22:2 Once, while sitting in church, a couple of rough looking guys came in late and sat down front. My wife poked me. Friends of yours? Twenty years ago, I would…
Read more

So he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands and made marks on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard. 1 Samuel 21:13 A few weeks ago, I was speaking at a conference, when I unexpectedly became a little emotional. I told my…
Read more

And the priest answered David, “I have no common bread on hand, but there is holy bread . . .” 1 Samuel 21:4 Recently, at dinner with our former, now-retired pastor, my wife recounted a story we’ve long attributed to him. I may not have all the details right, but apparently, when our pastor came…
Read more

Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” 1 Samuel 20:42 As I’ve mentioned previously, my wife and I met as counselors at a summer…
Read more

For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. 1 Samuel 20:31 Back in 2014, in the immediate aftermath of my addiction coming to light, I didn’t have a lot of people to whom I felt I could turn. It’s not that everyone turned…
Read more

But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. 1 Samuel 20:33 We just got home yesterday from celebrating my daughter’s* college graduation. It was a wonderful weekend of family, laughter, and sharing memories. During such times, I find myself thinking…
Read more

And he said to him, “Far from it! You shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me. And why should my father hide this from me? It is not so.” 1 Samuel 20:2 A while back, a new fast-food restaurant opened just across the street from…
Read more