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Dr TK Dunn on the Importance of the Old Testament
This is an extract from a longer interview, which I will also embed. I think Dr. Dunn has some valuable comments on the relationship of scripture and what it means for our study. And here’s the full interview from which that was extracted.
Fences: Mending or Rending
The following is a sermon I presented at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Pensacola on September 11,2005 and originally posted here on September 13, 2005. I’m reposting it because when I went to look for it, I found that the original post had somehow been truncated, and also because there is a one word at a…
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Psalm 119:149 – Mercy and Life
We receive mercy so we can live and also show mercy to others. Mercy is not a limited commodity. God has as much of it as is needed.
Psalm 119:148 – Meditating
Meditating on scripture is important. It should be pursued in various ways. But always leave room to put this into action in your life.
Psalm 119:147 – Before Dawn
Prayer, meditation, and devotional reading can take place at many different times. Find the way that works for you. Don’t be forced into a pattern that doesn’t meet your needs.
Psalm 119:146 – Save Me
Calling out to God for salvation is not the end of a process, but rather the beginning. Be careful what you ask for. It’s going to hhappen!
Psalm 119:145 – Answer Me
Sometimes we need to get less busy and wait.
Psalm 119:144 – Testimonies
Give me understanding is a good prayer that is sure to be answered.
Psalm 119:143 – Trouble!
I use Psalm 71 as my commentary on Psalm 119:143 today.
Psalm 119:142 – Eternal
We may not always comprehend God or eternity and thus an eternal law. But we can set forth and live it nonetheless.
Psalm 119:141 – Despised
We need to stay on the right path no matterwhat others are thinking of us.
Psalm 119:140
God’s word in scripture is the tested form of revelation. To understand when you are hearing from God in your own life, spend lots of time with scripture.
Psalm 119:139 – Zeal
When is anger or zeal valuable, and what should its target be?
Psalm 119:138 – Righteous and True
God sends testimonies out in righteousness. What kind of testimony is he sending out through you?
What Do You Get from Church?
I ask what you get out of church? What are the results of attending a weekly service?
Psalm 119:137 – Right
Believing God is just is a choice and an affirmation, but it is an affirmation that can guide or destroy our lives.
Psalm 119:136 – Crying
Am I led to tears by seeing a lack of love for other people in myself and in others?
Psalm 119:135 – Shine
We need to know God’s rules both so we know what God calls us to do, but also so we know when human rules are masquerading as divine commands.
Psalm 119:134 – Ransom
We are often oppressed by limited human conceptions and by letting our identity be set by other people. We need to be ransomed by God to realize our true worth.
Book Recommendation: Man’s Search for Meaning
A friend mentioned this book on Facebook, and since I have greatly appreciated it over a number of years, I thought I’d post about it here. Frankl has a powerful story of surviving the holocaust and speaks of what sustained him in that experience. Key quote: Man is that being who invented the gas chambers…
Psalm 119:133 – Mastery
The Psalmist asks God to direct his paths and not to allow any evil to have control over him. I discuss variations on this theme.
A Note on Relationships between Texts
Various passages in the Bible relate in different ways. I give a sort outline of these relationships.
Psalm 119:132 – Be Gracious
Praying for something God has already made standard practice is an inherently confident prayer.
Psalm 119:131 – Panting
Going from words to meaning and from principles to sound action is hard work. We need to make the effort, but also recognize the reality: We won’t necessarily get there.
Psalm 119:130 – Light
God’s word is everywhere. Will we perceive it?
Psalm 119:129 – My Soul Keeps Them
Looking at obeying God’s laws because they are wonderful, going beyond “God said it and I do it.”