Monthly Archives: April 2011

April 28: Genesis 36(-37:1)

Today’s reading. For a long time, I was ashamed of the fact that Kathy loved Battlestar Galactica. I don’t usually care much about what others think about my choice of entertainment, but Kathy was really enthusiastic about it and would ask people we were meeting for the first time if they watched too. I liked… Read More ›

April 27: Psalm 40

Today’s reading. Patience is not a celebrated virtue in our culture. In our day, the sooner and faster and more efficiently a thing can be done, the better. I will never forget when I ate at the Google offices in SF for the first time and saw that they pre-mixed together wasabi and soy sauce… Read More ›

April 26: Genesis 35

Today’s reading. This passage should be encouraging to all of us on two levels. First of all, it should encourage us because it reiterates the extent to which our gracious God will use incredibly imperfect people (like us) to accomplish his purposes. Second, it should encourage us because no matter how pagan and godless our… Read More ›

April 25: Genesis 34

Today’s reading. The Bible is no joke. It doesn’t pull any punches. This prince raped Dinah. It says he “saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her” (34:2). And then he wanted to marry her. Shechem was a real prince charming. Besides being gritty and real and contributing to Scripture’s tendency… Read More ›

April 23: Psalm 39

Today’s reading. The psalmist is experiencing some kind of struggle, some sort of discipline from the Lord. He begins by trying to hold his tongue (39:1-3). He thinks that, if he stops sinning, then whatever difficult circumstances he is facing will end. But, as he writes, “I held my peace to no avail” (39:2). No… Read More ›

April 22: Genesis 33

Today’s reading. I hate stories like this. Finally, there’s some kind of reconciliation. Finally, something goes right and there’s the chance for renewal of friendship and everyone living happily ever after. But rather than embrace a golden opportunity for restoration of relationship, one person still lacks trust and lets the opportunity pass him by. What… Read More ›

April 21: Genesis 32

Today’s reading. Jacob is exposed. His brother, Esau, the one he’d stolen the birthright from, is on his way to meet him and his family with 400 men. He comes up with a plan to appease his brother, but he comes to a sudden realization that none of his tricks will work this time. This… Read More ›

April 20: Psalm 38

Today’s reading. Have you ever sinned in such a way that your repentance looked like it does in this psalm? Have you ever been “utterly bowed down and prostrate” (38:6)? Has your repentance ever gotten all the way down into your bones (38:3)? As American Christians, I think we tend to understand God’s forgiveness a… Read More ›

April 19: Genesis 31

Today’s reading. Jacob is no Clint Eastwood. He doesn’t face his enemies, but waits until Laban was far out with the flocks before sneaking away. Jacob is less a hero and more like a comic book villain who takes the cheap shot rather than face is opponent like a man. Even with his three day… Read More ›