Observations from the Word by The Barking Fox

Give Me [insert desired location] Or I Die

In the midst of our busy daily lives, does it ever occur to us that God intends for us to be His agents of change? This is a matter of prayer and action: without the action, the prayer may go unanswered; and without the prayer, the action may go astray.
Genesis 18:1-22:24; 2 Kings 4:1-37; Isaiah 61:1-2; Matthew 11:4-6, 20-23, 12:38-42; Luke 4:16-19
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Give Me [insert desired location] Or I Die
Music: "St. Anne’s Reel,” Nat Keefe & Hot Buttered Rum, YouTube Audio Library, February 2020. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/qEGDnhDDV8c?si=L2PkrRDfBY3xK3As.
Illustration: John Knox Admonishing Mary Queen of Scots. Engraving by John Burnet after a work of Sir William Allan, 1824, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.

What Matters in the Clutter

How do we know what God is doing in our day? It's hard enough to pay attention to all the important things in our lives, so how do we manage that and still have time and energy to discern where God is at work? Maybe it's not so much a matter of knowing what He is doing, but rather getting to know Him. 
Genesis 12:1-17:27; Isaiah 40:27-41:16; 1 Kings 19:11-18; Proverbs 29:18; Hosea 4:6; Zechariah 4:10; Luke 19:41-44; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: What Matters in the Clutter
Music: "Leaning On the Everlasting Arms,” Zechariah Hickman, YouTube Audio Library, December, 2021. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/XsEfC1mjI8o?si=5dmtgiYL2Ig0pk8j.
Illustration: The Political Cartoon for the Year. United States, 1775. Cartoon shows George III and Lord Mansfield, seated on an open chaise drawn by horses labeled "Obstinacy" and "Pride," about to lead Britain into an abyss represented by the war with the American colonies. (Library of Congress #97514880).

One World Government Done Right

Is one world government a bad thing? That's what we might conclude from Christian eschatology, and even from patriotic nationalism. But is it still a bad thing if global government is God's idea? 
Genesis 6:9-11:32; Isaiah 54:1-55:5; Deuteronomy 32:8-9; Daniel 2:1-45; Micah 4:1-5; Matthew 11:11-15; Acts 17:26-28; Revelation 11:15
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: One World Government Done Right
Music: "Future King of Heaven,” Zachariah Hickman, YouTube Audio Library, April 21, 2021. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/bteCg7aqqX0?si=0ToVaXQxcRHbMV1N.
Photo: The Blue Marble from Apollo 17. Image courtesy NASA Johnson Space Center Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth, December 7, 1972.

Grasping the Mist

When we figure out the meaning of life, then we'll be content. Or is it the other way around? 
Genesis 1:1-6:8; Isaiah 42:5-43:10, Ecclesiastes 1:2-3, 12:1-13; Isaiah 14:12-21; Ezekiel 28:1-10; John 15:1-9; Philippians 2:4-11
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Grasping the Mist
Music: "Lost Native,” Nat Keefe with the Bow Ties, YouTube Audio Library, November 6, 2018. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/K23sacCPsyY?si=QGJxZHzHSvPPAZBt.
Photo by Hartwig HKD, August 11, 2011, via Flickr.

In His Hands

We sing about God having the whole world in His hands. What exactly does that mean? And how does it effect how we live each day? 
Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12; Joshua 1:1-18; Matthew 7:21-23; John 6:35-40, 10:25-30, 14:15; Romans 12:1-2
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: In His Hands
Music: "Farmhands,” TrackTribe, YouTube Audio Library, October 11, 2019. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/WYmq0dcOfko?si=eUN-eMDd679KFbWw.
Photo by Jlhinton, January 7, 2012, via Flickr.

Moral Agents in a Broken World

Are we created to enjoy easy lives, or does God expect us to follow His example in bringing order out of chaos? If that's what He expects, how do we know we're doing it right? 
Leviticus 16:1-34, 18:1-30; Isaiah 57:14-58:14; Hebrews 7:23-28
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Moral Agents in a Broken World
Music: "Psalm 25," Exodus Road Band, Heart of the Matter, Exodus Road Band 2017. See the official video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/kHJa7W2Vqlo. This song and others by Exodus Road Band are available at https://www.exodusroadband.com/.
Photo by Sasquatch I, May 28, 2012, via Flickr.

Constructive Sibling Rivalry

When it comes to life in God's Kingdom, are we more concerned about who is in and who is out, or how to live when we get there? Maybe we should think about how to do that - especially since we might be surprised at who else is there. 
Deuteronomy 32:1-52; Hosea 1:7-9, 14:1-9; Joel 2:15-27; Isaiah 65:1-2; Amos 8:10; Zechariah 12:10; Romans 10:19-21, 11:11-20
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Constructive Sibling Rivalry
Music: "St. Anne’s Reel,” Nat Keefe & Hot Buttered Rum, YouTube Audio Library, February 2020. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/qEGDnhDDV8c?si=L2PkrRDfBY3xK3As.
Photo by Eric Dickman, July 7, 2007, via Flickr.

Customized Pigsties

How exclusive is God's family? Does He limit membership only to people of proper pedigree, or does He impart that pedigree to anyone who seeks admission on His terms? 
Deuteronomy 29:10-31:30; Isaiah 61:10-63:9; Genesis 3:1-23; Luke 15:1-32; Ephesians 2:11-15; 1 John 3:4
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Customized Pigsties
Music: "Prodigal Son,” Cody Ryan Cribbs, Exodus Road Band, Prodigal Son, Exodus Road Records 2022. This song and others by Exodus Road Band are available at https://www.exodusroadband.com/.
Illustration: The Prodigal Son, by ihave3kids, April 7, 2012, via Flickr.