Archive for A Long Obedience in the Same Direction (Winter 2007)
Finishing Well—Bruce Hopler—4.1.07
Sunday, April 1st, 2007We’d all like to finish our lives well and pass along good, not bad, to the next generation. David gives us a good example in the words he spoke to his son Solomon at the end of his life.
He who dies with the most toys wins?—Bruce Hopler—03.25.07
Sunday, March 25th, 2007It is amazing how often we place our security in “stuff”. David did this near the end of his life and it was a big mistake. Instead of being thankful that he had been blessed by God, David put his trust in the size of his fighting force and had to face the consequences of his sin.
My Three Sons—Paul Benedetta—03.18.07
Sunday, March 18th, 2007Paul Benedetta takes us on a journey with David the father, and the actions of three of his sons: Amnon, Absalom and Adonijah.
Quick, Make an Idol—Bruce Hopler—03.11.07
Sunday, March 11th, 2007During times of stress or confusion people can turn to overspending, obsession with a hobby, workaholic-ism, or other destructive behaviors. God calls us to repentance.
Dropping Your Guard—Bruce Hopler—03.04.07
Tuesday, March 6th, 2007There are many times in our lives where we think we’ve “arrived.” For once, we can sit back and take a breather. Little do we know that there is no more dangerous place to be in our spiritual journeys. Success lowers the guard. It trivializes our daily dependence on God and it’s the great bane of the western world. The moment David had secured his kingdom, he was drawn into the vacuum of success. In that place of blurred values David fell into deep sin.
Dancing before the Lord—Bruce Hopler—02.25.07
Tuesday, February 27th, 2007When God does cool things in our lives, how willing are we to go all out in praising him, even if others might consider it embarassing?
How to Survive a Complicated Situation-Becky Copeland-02.18.07
Monday, February 19th, 2007After the death of Saul, David found himself in a chaotic situation. How could he stop a civil war and ascend to the throne in a God-honoring way when those around him were behaving badly? We can learn how to handle our own complicated situations from the way this godly man chose to conduct himself during these days.
When Character Matters, pt. 2-Bruce Hopler-02.11.07
Monday, February 12th, 2007Continuing our series on David’s life, Pastor Bruce looks at the final interactions between David and Saul shortly before Saul’s death. In particular, we learn that while David is very good at keeping the big picture before him and continues to act honorably in his main situation with Saul, he is prone to slipping up in smaller matters involving other people–a pattern that will continue throughout his life. Pastor Bruce explores how this is similar to what happens in our lives today.
When Character Matters, pt. 1-Bruce Hopler-02.04.07
Wednesday, February 7th, 2007How do you act with integrity in difficult situations? In times when you could easily exact some revenge against people who have wronged you? We can learn from how David handled the situation when he had Saul at his mercy.
Lessons from the Rock of Escape-Bruce Hopler-1.28.07
Monday, January 29th, 2007When you’re at a really low, really dark point in your life, it’s hard to know what to do. We can learn a lot from how David acted when he was pursued by a paranoid Saul who had taken leave of his senses. Pastor Bruce Hopler gives sound advice from this chapter of David’s life.