THE BOOK OF JOSHUA is about God leading Israel into the “Promised Land,” a land “flowing with milk and honey.” But as Paul later states (1 Cor. 10) these stories are written for our understanding and benefit. God has engaged in human history, particularly Israel’s history, so that in his stories he might reveal to us who he is, what he wants, and what his plan is for us. And his plan, even from the garden of Eden, is for his image bearers to live with him forever in a para

I WOKE UP FEELING GLOOMY THIS MORNING and it was very good. For several reasons my heart was heavy when I got up. I felt my everyday problems more than I did God. I did not have joy nor did I have peace. But it was good because I’ve learned how to get closer to God and to have joy and peace through everyday problems and gloomy feelings. It was also good because Elsie and I were about to pray for our kids and I knew exactly what to pray for them. I realized, as we began

In Matthew 5:21-22 Jesus equates anger with murder and solemnly pronounces, “anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment”. That means that when I feel angry I should see a big red flag. Those strong feelings of resentment or contempt, that will to lash out and punish, does not come from God. I will want to justify my feelings and call it “righteous anger” but Jesus assumes that our anger is not usually righteous. Jesus equates anger with murder