Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling He had gone too far this time. As if all the lies, deceit, and swindling of money from family and friends were not enough, this time Bill had burglarized our parents’ house. My brother had brazenly stolen anything of pawnshop value, leaving behind a trail of fingerprints and one key […]
Daily Focus: Treading Carefully
July 24, 2021 Scripture: Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then […]
Daily Focus: The Subject is Messiah
July 23, 2021 Scripture: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful […]
Daily Focus: Asking Receiving
July 22, 2021 Scripture: You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. James 4:3 ESV Observation: Asking and receiving, Jesus and his disciples have much to say about this exchange. Jesus tells us that the Father knows what we need before we ask him (Matthew 6:8) and that because […]
Daily Focus: Constructive Communication
July 21, 2021 Scripture: The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. …but no human being can tame the tongue. James 3:6b, 8a Observation: In this chapter, James focuses on how our words have the power to destroy or build […]
Daily Focus: Gratitude Antidote
July 20, 2021 Scripture: And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them. Numbers 20:12 ESV Observation: This story is troubling to me. […]
Daily Focus: Show No Partiality
July 19, 2021 Scripture: My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. James 2:1 ESV Observation: As the text continues, James cites a particular example of favoritism toward the wealthy while dishonoring the poor. It’s a dynamic that has continued through the centuries and is unlikely to change […]
