Category: Faith in the Struggle

And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy?” 1 Samuel 28:16 I transferred colleges between my Sophomore and Junior years and so, when it came time to ask college professors for references for my medical school application, I didn’t know any of them…
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Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” 1 Samuel 28:15 In one terrifying moment, back when I realized…
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And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.” 1 Samuel 28:8 I’m all about feeling good. It’s not that I feel bad. My mood is great, and I feel fine. I just always want to feel even better. Desiring happiness or joy isn’t…
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So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. 1 Samuel 28:8 As I was thinking about today’s passage yesterday, an amusing memory popped up from my early teen years. It was summer and I was mowing lawns, making…
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Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.” 1 Samuel 28:7 Years ago, while working the ER, I regularly encountered those who came to…
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And Achish trusted David, thinking, “He has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel; therefore he shall always be my servant.” 1 Samuel 27:12 Because I grew up in a dry home – no alcohol – I grappled with my own desire to drink when I went off to college. I told myself…
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So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place. 1 Samuel 26:25 In my last relapse, I tore our lives apart and hurt my wife terribly. Initially, we both assumed our marriage was over, but she didn’t leave. I went to treatment, committed myself to faith and recovery, and then returned home where…
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Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Every morning, I take my children to God in prayer, asking that they would recognize their need for him, and that they’d invest in their relationship with him daily. I ask God…
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And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. 1 Samuel 28:6 In my active addiction, it was common to have something happen that would make me fear that my drug use was going to be discovered. In my anxiety, I’d go…
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Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.” 1 Samuel 26:21 I often write about how, as Christians, we are to love those around…
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