A couple of weeks ago I used Isaiah 40:31 as part of my sermon series on the life of Joseph. Waiting time is not wasted time, for its during those moments of waiting that God does his work of preparing us for what lies ahead. Some of our members commented that what I did with…
Month: January 2011
Hope is a Reasonable Choice
Joseph waited 13 long years before he had any tangible indication that his dreams would come true. Joseph is one of many biblical characters that experienced detours on the pathway to their God given dreams. As is true of us, they experienced a broad span of emotion that ranged from total resignation to steadfast hope….
Walking in Circles
A Mystery: Why Can’t We Walk Straight? from NPR on Vimeo. It is impossible to walk in a straight line without a point of reference. What is your point of reference? Better yet, who is your point of reference that provides guidance and direction?
Is it OK to ask “Why?”
After spending 10 years as a slave, Joseph then faced three years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. It wasn’t just or fair. Maybe you’ve discovered life can be like that. When we face adversity in life, whether just or unjust, we naturally ask the question “Why?” From time to time I come…
How to Handle Temptation (part 3)
Even though Joseph did the right thing he ended up in prison. According to Psalm 105:18, he suffered greatly during his incarceration. Alone in jail, Joseph continued to cling to the promises of God with a pure conscience and his integrity intact. Let me offer a few final thoughts about how we can handle temptation….
How to Handle Temptation (part 2)
Temptation came to Joseph at a time in his life when he was vulnerable. The temptation appealed to his natural desires. He was far away from home where his accountability would have been higher. His family background failed to provide a positive model. It came after a big promotion when he would have been relaxed….
How to Handle Temptation (part 1)
Joseph was ambushed by his brothers and sold to slave traders, proving that sometimes mayhem is unavoidable. Though we can’t control adversity, we can do something about our response. Which brings me to the next section of Joseph’s life, found in Genesis 39:1-20. Joseph arrived in Egypt and was sold to the highest bidder, who…
The Hole in the Gospel
Last Christmas my daughter Lauren gave me The Hole in the Gospel as a gift, but I think it would be more appropriate to call it a blessing. Written by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision, U.S., this book serves the reader in two special ways. The first section of the book is autobiographical. Stearns…
Mayhem is Coming!
Joseph must have been reeling after he was stripped of his robe, thrown into a pit (to starve to death), then sold for the price of a crippled slave to Midianite traders headed to Egypt. You can read the details of these events in Genesis 37:12-35. Mayhem didn’t hit Joseph gradually. Within moments he went…
Are You Ready for Mayhem?
The biblical story of Joseph begins in the 17th year of his life. Even though his family background had provided him with some unique personal challenges, he must have been enthusiastic about his own future. Full of youthful optimism and innocence, Joseph embraced his God given dreams and anticipated what lie ahead. Even though God…
