Observations from the Word by The Barking Fox

A Righteous and Honorable Pain

The righteous heroes of the Bible seem to be at least as flawed as all of us ordinary people. So why are they considered righteous? 
Genesis 28:10-32:2; Hosea 12:12-14:9; Matthew 5:1-12, 19:8-9
The Trial of Queen Catherine of Aragon, Henry Nelson O'Neil, Birmingham Museums Trust, Birmingham, UK.  
Music: "Greensleeves,” The King’s Singers, Greensleeves – Music from the Court of King Henry VIII, Chester Records 2009.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: A Righteous and Honorable Pain.pdf

Evil Twins

We disapprove of evil people because they do things that are evil. Does that mean we disapprove of ourselves when we do the same kind of evil things? 
Genesis 25:19-28:9; Malachi 1:1-2:7; Matthew 11:12; Romans 7:7-25, 9:10-13
Nana Visitor as Major Kira Nerys (L) and Intendant Kira (R), her villainous alternate self in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Crossover." Photo via Star Trek Facebook page, from "Cadet Training: 'Crossover,'" Jay Stobie, startrek.com, February 18, 2019.  
Music: "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Dennis McCarthy, City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, 100 Greatest TV Themes (The Ultimate Television Themes Collection), Silva Screen 2002.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Evil Twins.pdf

Just Stewards

Our Creator has a reason for calling on people to deny themselves and serve others. It's more than just being polite. He would like us to cultivate character traits of humility and service as part of our very nature. That way we enter eternity equipped to overcome any temptation to try to take His place. Apparently there was a problem with that in an earlier version of the Cosmos.
Genesis 23:1-25:18; 1 Kings 1:1-31; Psalm 84; Luke 16:10-13
Rebecca Receiving Presents from Abraham's Servant, Hendrick Heerschop, 1656, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.  
Music: "The Faithful One,” Chris Eaton, Selah, Bless the Broken Road: The Duets Album, Curb 2006.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Just Stewards.pdf

Divine Refrigerator Rights

Casual relationships with people leave us unsatisfied because they have neither depth nor the capability of enduring hardship. What does that say about a casual relationship with our Creator? 
Genesis 18:1-22:24; 2 Kings 4:1-37; Ezekiel 16:48-50; Luke 17:7-10; John 15:12-17
Music: "Prayer for a Friend,” Mark Hall, Casting Crowns, The Altar and the Door, Reunion 2007.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Divine Refrigerator Rights.pdf

A Name and A Destiny

Identity may be the most important aspect of our humanity, both as individuals and as people. That must be why our adversary takes so much effort to rob us of our identity. However, even if we don't know who we are, our Redeeming God makes a way for us to know who we can become. 
Genesis 12:1-17:27; Isaiah 40:27-41:16; Matthew 3:7-9; John 8:39; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6; James 2:22-24
The Last of the Clan, Thomas Faed, 1865. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow. (Photo: Glasgow Museums) 
Music: "How Deep the Father’s Love,” Celtic Worship, Morningtide, Integrity Music 2021.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Trapped in Time.pdf

Trapped in Time

Is time an enemy, a friend, or a measure by which we gauge the value of our lives? If there is no eternity to consider, then the answer can be very depressing. 
Ecclesiastes 9:10-12; Luke 12:18-21; Philippians 3:7-16
Music: "Time,” Hootie and the Blowfish, Cracked Rear View, Atlantic Records 1994.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Trapped in Time.pdf

I Have A Friend

Which is better: to see a person healed, or to help them bear up under constant suffering when the healing doesn't come?  
Job 31:1-40; Ezekiel 4:16; Matthew 9:20-22; John 5:2-9, 9:1-3, 17:15
Melancholy, Edvard Munch, 1892. National Museum of Norway, Oslo.
Music: "Stand By Me,” Ben E. King and The Drifters, Stand By Me, ATCO Records 1961.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: I Have A Friend.pdf
 

Worthless Things, or Abundant Mercy?

We might smile at Jonah's predicament in the great fish, but is there a lesson in that bigger-than-life tale that we might have overlooked?  
2 Kings 9:1-10, 14:23-27; Ezekiel 14:1-5; Hosea 11:1-7; Jonah 2:2-10, 4:1-10; Romans 11:20-24
Jonah Under the Miracle Plant, Jan van de Velde II, 1603-1641, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. 
Music: "Jonah," Zion Harmonizers, Thank You Lord, Sound of New Orleans 1996.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Worthless Things or Abundant Mercy.pdf