Send us a text

Sometimes I feel like a toddler -- you know, the ones with questions for days. Their questions are unending partly because they wired for curiosity and partly because they grow in their understanding of the world through questions. Job has his own book in the Old Testament and it is filled with questions about the reason behind his suffering. God does eventually respond to Job, but rather than detailed answers He replies with a few questions of His own. In their song, "Where Were You," the band Ghost Ship captures the heart of Job's question and a great sampling of God's counter response.

Have you experienced suffering? Are you in the midst of it right now? Let's learn a little from Job this week.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read-and-keep-on-reading
  • Context
  • Listen to an audio version of Scripture
  • Refer to an overview of the book - I used Bible Project's Overview Video this week
  • Read in a variety of translations
  • Make a list of Job's questions
• When I recognized that God was putting Scripture in music already - check out Episode 1 or Episode 122
• The Bible Project's overview of the Book of Job - YouTube Video
• Exploring Job's questions by making a list (I only jot down a few...you can find MANY more)
  • Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire? - Job 3:11
  • Have I any help in me, when resource is driven from me? Job 6:13
  • Has not man a hard service on earth, and are not his days like the days of a hired hand? Job 7:1
  • Why have you made me your mark? Job 7:20
  • Have you eyes of flesh? Do you see as man sees? Job 10:4
• Conclusions
  • Suffering can cause us to be irrational
  • Suffering reveals where we place our trust
  • Suffering digs up the root of our purpose
  • Suffering often leads us to blame
  • No. God does not see as man sees

 

 

Additional Resources

• Purchase the album or single on Amazon
• Lyrics and chords

This Week's Challenge Review the overview of Job by the Bible Project. Read or listen to Job all the way through. Consider the nature of Job's suffering and what it brings out in him. Use the song to remind you of God's response in Scripture.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

Send us a text

Everyone has a story. Part of the beauty of God's Word is when we can identify with the people God chose to weave into His BIG story of redemption. Tenth Avenue North's song "Control (Somehow You Want Me)" leads us to explore Jacob in the book of Genesis.

There is a distinct time and place where Jacob gives control to God. Let's consider this place of surrender together.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Study a character
  • Remember the characters in the Bible were real
  • Read-and-keep-on-reading
  • Context
  • Make a list
• Meeting Jacob for the first time - Genesis 25:23-28
• When Jacob declares God as his own - Genesis 28:20-22
• What Jacob left behind when he went on the run
• The desperate place Jacob is in when God chooses to reveal Himself in a personal way
• Living a life of surrender after the first time you surrender
• Listing some of Jacob's obsessions and intention - compare them to your own
• God calling Jacob back to the place where he first surrendered - Genesis 35:1-15
• Understanding that God wants you...just you...ditch the bag of idols you carry with you and give Him control

 

Additional Resources

• Purchase the album or single on Amazon
• Lyrics and chords
• The story behind the song "Control (Somehow You Want Me)" by Tenth Avenue North

This Week's Challenge Read Genesis 25 through Genesis 35. Read and keep on reading. Consider big ideas keeping them in context of the big story. Remember that Jacob was real. Most of all, make God YOUR God. Give Him control of your life. He has a really great plan for it.  

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

Send us a text

I find it fascinating which prayers and songs God chose to include in His Word. Of all the prayers lifted in all of time it's a good idea for us to explore the ones included in Scripture. Finding Favour's song, "Get Down," is our inspiration to learn more about one of Daniel's prayers.

I can't wait for you to see how much you learn about God in this prayer.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read-and-keep-on-reading
  • Ask questions
  • Use outside resources
• Learning what we can from the prayers recorded in the Bible
• Asking good questions, like:
  • What details were important to include in this prayer?
  • What revelation about God is included?
    • Have they mentioned his conduct, character, or concerns?
  • What was requested in the prayer?
  • What is the historical and physical context of the prayer?
  • Why was God being sought in that moment?
  • What was the result of the prayer?
  • How did the result change the course of God's kingdom, bring God glory, or affect the person praying?
  • What can I learn about the person lifting the prayer?
  • Is there anything I want to emulate or avoid?
• An amazing outside resource for Bible timelines - www.BibleHistory.com
• The timeline of the two characters we are exploring...Daniel and Nehemiah
  • 605 BC Daniel is captured and taken to Babylon
  • 586 BC Jerusalem is completely destroyed and the rest of God's people are taken captive
  • 537 BC King Cyrus decrees resettlement of Jerusalem
  • 520 BC The people resume rebuilding of the temple
  • 444 BC Nehemiah rebuilds the walls
• Background of how Daniel ended up in the kings service - Daniel 1:3-5 and Daniel 1:18-21
• How Daniel intervenes in a crisis - Daniel 2:14-19
• Daniel's prayer - Daniel 2:20-23
• Applying our questions to Daniel's prayer
• A quick introduction of Nehemiah (CHALLENGE: Explore his prayer on your own!)

 

 

Additional Resources

• Purchase the album or single on Amazon
• Lyrics and chords

This Week's Challenge Choose Daniel or Nehemiah (or both) to explore this week to read-and-keep-on-reading. Then make a list of questions you want to explore the answers to as you zero in on Daniel's, or Nehemiah's, prayer.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

Send us a text

Happy New Year! Each new year brings with it an opportunity to set new goals and consider what your focus will be before life gets in the way. Kings Kaleidoscope has a song set to the tune of the traditional new year’s song Auld Lang Syne. Their song “All Glory Be To Christ” reminds us ultimately what each new year is about…Jesus.

The song leads us to Psalm 127 where we are reminded that we are nothing without the Lord.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Context
  • Ask questions
  • Make observations
• The Rapid Bible Read Through that I do every year with my friend, Keith Ferrin - RBRT2018
• The Psalms of Ascent - Got Questions Article
• Focusing more on the Architect than the house plans - Psalm 127:1
• The role of a watchman - Psalm 127:1
• Keeping in context the warning in verse 2 - Psalms 127:2
• Not separating the "in vain" section from the "family" section of Psalm 127
• Our duty to smooth and prepare our arrows (children) to be shot into the battle - Psalm 127:4
• How I don't want to do anything this year in vain...with my family, ministry, or career

 

 

Additional Resources

• Purchase the album or single on Amazon
• Lyrics and chords

This Week's Challenge Read Psalm 127 for yourself. While you do, make sure you don't take each verse out of context...it is one song, after all. Ask questions, make observations, and fix your eyes on the Lord. Pray and ask Him to be the architect of your life this year. Determine in your heart to bring Him glory.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

Send us a text

We can see what a heart filled with expectation looks like when we observe children's faces on Christmas morning. May our hearts burst with childlike levels of anticipation for the return of Christ. "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus," as sung by Meredith Andrews, reminds us that while the Advent season may have come to a close for 2017, we still eagerly await Christ's return.

We can learn quite a bit from two characters included in the story of Christ's birth and dedication to the Lord in Luke 2. Will you join me there?

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Observe
  • Reflect
  • Respond
• How this hymn was originally written by Charles Wesley in 1744
• The double nature of Advent as reflected in our song
• The story of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2:22-38
• The historical context of why Joseph and Mary would come to the temple for this particular sacrifice - Ligonier Ministries Article on The Consolation of Israel
• Expecting Jesus
• Living a life devoted to God
• How Simeon and Anna represent both men and women
• How followers of Christ cannot keep the news to themselves
• The fact that while we are few, we are not alone -- we should surround ourselves with others who are expecting Jesus, too

 

 

Additional Resources

• Purchase the album or single on Amazon
• Lyrics and chords

This Week's Challenge Once again pick up the Christmas story. Read Luke 1 and 2. Follow the BITE pattern of observe/reflect/respond like we've done on this episode. When you meet Simeon and Anna, learn from their expectation and their devotion. Ask the Father to plant a seed of expectation in your heart that will only grow all the days you follow Him.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

Send us a text

I have been keeping Jesus small. I have found myself saying things like, "He started as a baby." Fortunately for me, I allowed Scripture to reshape my thinking this week. Inspired by downhere's song, "How Many Kings," I considered what sort of king Jesus is to emphasize the tremendous sacrifice it was for Him to come to earth as a human (much less a baby). But He did NOT "start" as a baby.

Join me in Colossians 1 to put the magnifying glass on just a handful of characteristics of King Jesus.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Make a list
  • Repetition
• Considering a familiar story from a new perspective
• Jesus was an "unlikely hero"...or was He?
• Jesus is anything but small - Colossians 1:15-20
• Everything in our list was true of the baby lying in a manger
• Jesus was God
• Jesus holds the highest rank
• Jesus created His kingdom
• Before there was anything...King Jesus was
• Jesus is not an uninterested, disconnected King
• Jesus surpasses all others...He is illustrious, renowned, celebrated, and supreme
• So what is our response? Bring gifts that acknowledge WHO He is - Matthew 2:1-11

 

 

Additional Resources

• Purchase the album or single on Amazon
• Lyrics and chords
• Story behind the song "How Many Kings" by downhere - New Release Today Article

This Week's Challenge I hope you've been reading the Christmas story over and over this season. If you haven't pulled it out lately, read it again and consider all that Jesus was (even as a baby). Consider this Mighty King that came to earth for you and me. Read Colossians 1:15-20 again and make your own list as a review. Did you catch the BITE of repetition along with the BITE of making a list? Let the truth of God's Word sink in.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

Send us a text

What if Jesus had come to earth in another way? He is God after all. He didn't HAVE to plan to come as a baby. Have you ever considered why? Jason Gray's song grapples with this idea in his song "I Will Find a Way" based on a short story, "An Advent Monologue," by Walter Wangerin Jr.

Join me on a journey to Isaiah 43 where we hear the loving voice of our Father.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Context
  • Reading aloud
• "Ragman: And Other Cries of Faith" by Walter Wangerin, Jr.
• A review of the song and the story it's based on
• God's "tone of voice" and how we interpret it
• The phrase in the song that leads us to Isaiah 43
• All the ways God comforts us with his love in Isaiah 43
• How we in turn burden and weary Him - Isaiah 43:22-24
• The thieves, collectors, and looters displayed in the story, song, and Scripture - 2 Peter 2:17-19
• How God handles our transgressions - Isaiah 43:25
• John's description of Emmanuel...God with us - John 1:9-14

 

 

Additional Resources

• • Purchase the album or single on Amazon
  • Lyrics and chords

 

This Week's Challenge Read Isaiah 43. If you’re up for it, read Isaiah 42-45 for even greater context. Read it out loud picturing the voice of a Father who is seeking to make a way. To consider a vivid description of the destructive nature of false teachers, head over to 2 Peter 2. Why do we sit in bondage to this when we have the true light of the world who came for us?  

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

Send us a text

There is such a sense of expectancy in the Christmas season. We hope our gifts for others are "just right," we hope everyone gets along at our various gatherings, we hope to make lasting and meaningful memories, and sometimes we hope for that perfect gift. Before Jesus came the first time, all of creation hoped for God to send the One that would rescue the world. Kari Jobe's song, "When Hope Came Down," calls us to examine Christ who "came down" to do the will of the Father.

You and I are included in Father God's plan. This week we see the express purpose of Hope coming down.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Repetition
  • Reading in a variety of translations
  • Listening to an audio version of Scripture
  • Reading aloud
  • Sharing with friends
  • Asking questions
• The account of the angels lifting up their voices  - Luke 2:1-21
• The desperate plea for God to "rend the heavens and come down" - Isaiah 64:1
• Jesus declaring that he "came down from heaven" - John 6:38
• Jesus getting to the heart of the motives of the people - John 6:25-27
• Matthew Henry's commentary's comment that the people weren't seeking good doctrine, but full bellies
• Jesus' challenge to us to focus on the eternal not the temporal - John 6:27
• The people's limited understanding of the purpose of manna from heaven - John 6:25-31
• Jesus defining the foreshadowing of manna from heaven - John 6:32-33
• Discovering the purpose of the true Bread of Heaven - John 6:32-40
• Application questions:
  • What does God want me to think/understand?
  • What does God want me to believe?
  • What does God want me to desire?
  • What does God want me to do?

 

Additional Resources

• Purchase the album or single on Amazon
• Lyrics and chords
• Advent Resources
  • • Come, Lord Jesus: The Weight of Waiting by Kris Camealy
    • The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

Send us a text

There's a problem in our hearts that is not a new problem. We have hearts that are prone to wander from God. Hillary Scott & The Scott Family sing of this very thing in their rendition of the famous hymn, "Come Thou Fount." These lyrics will take us on a wonderful journey through Scripture this week.

Perhaps you'll find a place to sit and stay for awhile with the Source of all our fountains.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Reading in context
  • Journaling
• How all of our fountains are in Him - Psalm 87:7
• Allowing God to tune our hearts like a master musician
• Understanding the significance of the Ebenezer stone - 1 Samuel 4-7
• The time "when completeness comes" - 1 Corinthians 13:9-12
• Wandering hearts are not a new phenomenon - Deuteronomy 31:16
• We can be sealed for "Thy courts above" - Ephesians 1:13-14

Additional Resources

• Purchase the album or single on Amazon
• Lyrics and chords
• "Come Thou Fount" lyrics - Chris Rice on Google Play
• Behind the hymn "Come Thou Fount" - Hymnary.org article

This Week's Challenge Choose a phrase that resonates with you from our hymn and spend some time in Scripture this week. Perhaps you could take your time through the story found in 1 Samuel chapters 4-7. It may just inspire you to pull out your own Ebenezer stone and add a symbol of remembrance to your walk with God. Perhaps you need to surrender to the call of the gospel -- to believe and receive the seal of the Holy Spirit on your life. Pray and ask God to guide you this week, but don't miss this opportunity to spend time with Him...in His Word, in prayer, in praise, and in remembrance.

 

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

Send us a text

Sometimes my grandmother bemoans the repetition in contemporary worship songs. Once she mentioned she felt like the worship team might just "sing of your love forever"...forever. I'm pretty sure she'll excuse the repetition in the classic hymn "Nothing but the Blood" as it leads us to consider the significance of the blood shed by our Savior.

No matter how hard we may "try," NOTHING but the blood of Jesus can atone for our sin.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Write out Scripture
  • Meditate
  • Read in context
• The story behind the song by Jars of Clay lead singer Dan Haseltine - BeliefNet Article
• Nothing can for sin atone...not of good that I have done - Isaiah 64:6, Romans 5:8
• No other fount I know - Zechariah 13:1
• For my pardon this I see - Ephesians 1:7, 2 Corinthians 5:17
• This is all my hope and peace - Colossians 1:19-20
• This is all my righteousness - Titus 3:4-6
• Nothing but the blood of Jesus - Hebrews 9:19-22
• Why? So that we might LIVE saved - 1 John 4:7-12

 

Additional Resources

• Purchase the album or single on Amazon
• Lyrics and chords
• Behind the hymn "Nothing but the Blood" - Hymnary.org article

This Week's Challenge Listen to the song and then do the work. Use the Bible Interaction Tool Exercises I introduced to interact with God’s Word this week. Reflect on the idea that nothing but the blood could have atoned for our sins, but it was not merely so we could be saved…but rather that we would LIVE saved.

 

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.