Strengthened in the Lord
David’s circumstances are pretty bleak near the end of I Samuel. Yet in spite of the pressure, we see his example as a “man after God’s own heart” shining brightly. In chapter 19, King Saul’s hostility toward David took the form of actual attacks and death threats. David has been fleeing since then and, despite two merciful acts of sparing Saul’s life, David finds no respite. In fact, the pressure of Saul’s hunt causes David to flee to Philistia (Israel’s enemies) with his rag-tag band of soldiers. There David repeatedly proves his reliability and fighting ability by defending Philistia’s cities and defeating her enemies for almost a year and a half!
First day of school…
Classes start today for my first semester of PhD work. I’ll be taking Hebrew, German and NT Interpretation, as well as finishing up an OT Theology correspondence course.
Free Bible Study Resources
As many Logos users have noted on their blogs, Logos is currently offering a free copy of the new Cornerstone Biblical Commentary’s volume on Matthew & Mark (by Walker & Zuck). You can download that here while supplies last.
Theology of Amos
I’ve finished this paper for my correspondence course. That’s a big monkey off my back! It was a great study and an instructive project, but “better is the end of a thing than its beginning” (Eccl. 7.8). Two (shorter) papers and a final exam left – and one week remaining! I’m rejoicing in God’s provision to get me this far!
Recommendations
Here are some of the more profitable links I’ve visited over the last week or so:
Sufficient grace – through all circumstances!
Really, the title says it all – God’s grace is sufficient through all circumstances! For instance, the pressure of a correspondence course that needs to be finished in 10 days. God’s grace is sufficient! Add to that an urgent situation at work that’s requiring extensive overtime hours. God’s grace is sufficient!
BestCommentaries.com
I’m accumulating a library and frequently find myself desiring more books than I have budget to accommodate. I appreciate any advice I’m offered that helps me discriminate between a good commentary and a great one.
Fundamentalism & Dialogue
Dialogue is a bit of a buzz word within Fundamentalism (the conservative evangelical kind!) – what position do we take on conversations about Scripture with unbelievers (particularly critical scholars). Traditionally, Fundamentalists have shied away from dialogue and, on many occasions, criticized other evangelicals for what appears to be kow-towing for critical approval.
Resting in the Lord and Coffee Fixes
Mark Earley posted a great article at breakpoint.org about the caffeine dependency that seems to be rampant across our busy country. I must confess to occasional guilt in this area. For the most part, I’ve been unaddicted to coffee/pop for the last four months (after a year or so of 3+ cups a day). But I’m about to start PhD classes. And I’ve got a lot of work on a correspondence course that I need to finish this month. So I might have to stay up late a couple times (probably a couple all-nighters during the school year too) to get all my work squeezed into a week. I freely confess, I think that energy drinks are great for late-night study (the warmth of coffee counteracts its caffeine for me, and I do enjoy pop). I typically cut the energy drink with Gatorade to spread out the dosage. But addiction? Thankfully, no. Last year, I experienced the headaches when I didn’t have my morning coffee and I’m not going back to that!
Understanding familiar Bible stories – there’s always room for improvement!
I just read the account of the parting of the waters for Israel to escape Pharoah’s army on dry ground (Ex. 14). I’ve heard this story repeatedly since I was five – but tonight, I noticed new things that filled in the details more clearly and pointed more noticeably toward God’s powerful intervention in this miracle!