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Tag Archives: Samuel

Ordinary Offerings (discussion questions)

07 May

The following discussion questions accompany my message this past weekend at Eastbrook Church entitled “Ordinary Offerings” on the faith of Hannah from 1 Samuel 1.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the most important gift that you’ve ever given to someone else in your life? Why was it so important?
  2. We continue our series, “Risky Faith,” this week with a focus on Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel. We will look at 1 Samuel 1:1-28. Read that portion of Scripture out loud. Read the rest of this entry »
 
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Posted by on May 7, 2012 in Eastbrook, Scripture reflections

 

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Risky Faith

23 Apr

This coming weekend at Eastbrook I will begin a new series entitled “Risky Faith.”

When Jesus came into our world, He gave His very life that we might be brought back to God. Jesus does not call people into a comfortable or safe religion.  Instead, Jesus beckons His followers into a faith that risks. It is a faith filled with adventure, joy, and surprising possibilities. It is a faith that takes us beyond safety and control into the unknown depths of full life with the living God.  It is a life of risky faith that will go where He sends us and do what He calls us to do, no matter the cost.

April 28/29 – “Step Out” – Joshua 1:1-11

May 5/6 – “Ordinary Offerings” – 1 Samuel 1:1-28

May 12/13 – “Walk on the Waves” – Matthew 14:22-36

 
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Posted by on April 23, 2012 in Eastbrook

 

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The Pathway to Slow Decline, part 2

20 May

This continues a post from yesterday looking at the slow decline of Saul the Benjamite, the first king of Israel. As I recently read through Saul’s story again, I was struck by the pattern of Saul’s slow decline. Here are a few reflections on that for us today.

Tormented and Angry Saul
It is shortly after Saul’s disobedience that David appears on the scene. Samuel secretly anoints David as the next king at God’s request (16:13). Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted by on May 20, 2011 in Scripture reflections

 

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The Pathway to Slow Decline, part 1

19 May

The word ‘decline’ has a different value based on different situations. Seeing a decline in unemployment rates is good, but seeing a decline in gross domestic product is bad. Watching dirty bath water go down the drain is good, but watching your marriage go down the drain is bad.

One of the most gripping stories of decline in the Bible is that of Saul the Benjamite, the first king of Israel. As I recently read through Saul’s story again, I was struck by the pattern of Saul’s slow decline. Here are a few reflections on that for us today. Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted by on May 19, 2011 in Scripture reflections

 

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Every Blessing You Pour Out

12 May

There’s a well-known worship song that says: “every blessing You pour out I’ll turn back to praise.” While the term ‘blessing’ is often thoughtlessly used, it refers to a deep happiness or gift that God brings into our lives. Hannah, a Hebrew woman we encounter in 1 Samuel, was someone who knew about both receiving God’s blessing and turning it back into praise of His name.

A Hopeful Prayer
Hannah was a barren woman who lamented both her loneliness and shame. In a culture that was built on family and the importance of providing an heir, Hannah was on the outs. Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted by on May 12, 2011 in Scripture reflections

 

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