Observations from the Word by The Barking Fox

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
 

Poisoned Well, or Spring of Life?

It seems that all humanity has longed for an end to war and conflict. God promises a time when we won't learn war anymore, but in the meantime we hone our skills at conflict with every opportunity. Do we have to wait until the Kingdom comes to live in peace, or is there something we can do about that now?
Genesis 1:28; Deuteronomy 30:19; Jeremiah 2:13, 17:5-8; John 4:13-14
In None But the Brave, Japanese and American warriors find a way to suspend their hostility and work together to sustain life. (Warner Brothers 1965 Lobby Card, imaged by Heritage Auctions.)
Music: "Cool Water," Bob Nolan, performed by Vaughan Monroe and His Orchestra with The Sons of the Pioneers, RCA Victor 1948 (I've Heard That Song Before, Reader's Digest 2006).
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Poisoned Well or Spring of Life.pdf
 
 

Sleepwalking Into Eternity

One surprising thing about the human story is not that the world around us changes so often, but rather how rarely we notice the changes. The cares of each day tend to obscure the profound historical developments happening right in front of our eyes. Does that mean we're actually sleepwalking through life? 
Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25; Isaiah 49:14-51:3; Micah 6:8; Matthew 7:21-23; John 21:22; Acts 1:7 
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Sleepwalking Into Eternity
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/.. 
Picture: The Return of Rip Van Winkle, John Quidor, 1849 (Washington, National Gallery of Art).

Walking Like An Egyptian

Sometimes it takes extreme measures to get God's people to switch their focus from seeking peace in their current circumstances to seeking the Creator's intent for the next step in His plan of redemption.  
Exodus 1:22, 3:7-10; Psalm 116:15; Jeremiah 16:16-19; Matthew 6:10; Revelation 6:9-11
Israel In Egypt, Sir Edward Poynter, 1867. (Guildhall Art Gallery, London, via Wikimedia Commons.) 
Music: "Walk Like An Egyptian,” The Bangles, Different Light, Columbia 1985.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Walking Like An Egyptian.pdf