Samson is a big personality. His exploits are the stuff legends are made of. Taking on 1000 warriors with a donkey’s jawbone; carrying city gates; and tying torches to the tails of foxes. But he was what we might call a flawed hero. He had weaknesses that eventually got the better of him. He was used of God and was God’s deliverer for Israel, but far from perfect. We can learn from his life how to build upon the heritage we have been given; live up to the commitments we have made; and overcome the temptations that are common to us all. Today, Samson!

As we continue our study in the book of Judges, “Broken People; Faithful God” God raises up an unlikely leader, Jephthah. While he is included with the great people of faith in Hebrews 11, he is not what many would expect to be the one chosen to deliver God’s people. Yet he is. Israel has broken faith again, and Jephthah’s story reveals the eroding values that has affected all Israel.

Edward Sandford Martin wrote, “Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.” What a powerful and humbling statement. And a question is generated in my mind when I read it, “Do I have a heart that allows gratitude to dominate every part of my life?” I want that. I hope you do too. How might we generate more gratitude? Today, let’s talk about gratitude.

I love a good story! And the Bible has tons of good stories. While they are good, even great, there is a reason they exist beyond just providing a great reading experience. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” And it nowhere is it more true than when it comes to the Old Testament book of Judges. There are broken people, flawed leaders, chaotic conditions. Sounds a bit like 2018! And all this and more we read in the Book of Judges. For the next few weeks we are going to journey into the lives of “Broken People” and find a “Faithful God.” I can learn from this; you can learn from this. Join us as we look at the Book of Judges, “Broken people, Faithful God.” This week, Gideon.

I love a good story! And the Bible has tons of good stories. While they are good, even great, there is a reason they exist beyond just providing a great reading experience. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” And it nowhere is it more true than when it comes to the Old Testament book of Judges. There are broken people, flawed leaders, chaotic conditions. Sounds a bit like 2018! And all this and more we read in the Book of Judges. For the next few weeks we are going to journey into the lives of “Broken People” and find a “Faithful God.” I can learn from this; you can learn from this. Join us as we look at the Book of Judges, “Broken people, Faithful God.” This week, Deborah.

I love a good story! And the Bible has tons of good stories. While they are good, even great, there is a reason they exist beyond just providing a great reading experience. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” And it nowhere is it more true than when it comes to the Old Testament book of Judges. There are broken people, flawed leaders, chaotic conditions. Sounds a bit like 2018! And all this and more we read in the Book of Judges. For the next few weeks we are going to journey into the lives of “Broken People” and find a “Faithful God.” I can learn from this; you can learn from this. Join us as we look at the Book of Judges, “Broken people, Faithful God.”