Observations from the Word by The Barking Fox

Repenting For Nothing

No one wants to be like a dragon. That is, we don't admit - at least publicly - that a dragon is our role model. But then, did we ever stop to think how closely our most precious thoughts, desires, and dreams might resemble those of a dragon?  
Job 13:15-16, 41:1-34, 42:5-6; Isaiah 14:12-15, 27:1; 53:1-12; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Philippians 2:1-11; Hebrews 5:8-8; Revelation 12:1-17
Princess Tamatori retrieves a precious pearl from the Dragon King in this illustration of the medieval tale Taishokkan. (Vignette from The Great Woven Cap, Edo Period (1615-1868) Japan, Metropolitan Museum of Art.) 
Music: "Finlandia,” Jean Sibelius, Sir Adrian Boult and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jean Sibelius: Symphonies No. 5, 6, & 7 Tone Poems, IndieBlu Music 2003.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Repenting For Nothing.pdf

What We Shall Be

We know the Kingdom of Heaven exists for eternity, but we don't know much about it yet. However, that hasn't stopped us from trying to figure out who will be there - or who won't be there. Maybe a better use of our time and energy would be getting to know the Eternal King and living in such a way that others would want to know Him as well.
Ezekiel 11:14-21; Matthew 15:24, 23:13; John 10:11-18; Galatians 3:28-29; Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 John 3:1-3
As the International Space Station orbits the earth (top), crew members Shane Kimbrough (USA) and Thomas Pesquet (France) work to install new roll out solar arrays (bottom). (NASA photo, 2021) 
Music: "Ice Station Zebra Overture,” Michel Legrand, Movie Themes From The Past, Soundtrack Classics, 2012.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: What We Shall Be.pdf

Respecting The Name

Do we believe the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable? If we do, then we should have no problem believing that promises and blessings He has bestowed from time immemorial are still in effect. But what does that mean in connection with reconciling estranged parts of our Creator's Covenant family?
Exodus 20:7; Numbers 6:22-27; Jeremiah 31:31-37, 46:27-28; Ezekiel 39:25-29; Luke 20:19-20; Galatians 3:29
"The High Priest of Israel,” illustration from The Jewish Tabernacle and Priesthood, George C. Needham, Library of Congress, 1874.) 
Music: "The Blessing Live,” Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes, Graves Into Gardens Live, Elevation Worship 2020. Hear the complete song at Elevation Worship.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Respecting The Name.pdf

There’s No Place Like Home

If life is a journey, what is the destination? Why is the road so rough, with so many twists and turns? And why are we powerless to overcome the perils along the way? Or are we really powerless to deliver ourselves from the dire circumstances of life? 
Exodus 14:10-18; Deuteronomy 10:16; Ezekiel 36:24-28; Matthew 14:13-20; Luke 22:19-20
Ruby Slippers from the 1939 MGM classic, The Wizard of Oz, on display at Smithsonian American History Museum, Washington, DC. (Photo by RadioFan (talk), October 6, 2009, via Wikimedia Commons.) 
Music: "The Wizard of Oz (Overture),” The Orchestra of the Film, 50 Original Film Soundtracks, Great Moments & Overtures, Vintage Music 2012.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: There's No Place Like Home.pdf

The Echo of Eternity

Bad things happen even to good people, and good things happen even to bad people. It's futile to try to figure this out, but the struggle of life is hardly futile in the greater context of eternity. 
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18, 3:11-14, 12:1; Isaiah 53:4-6; Hebrews 5:7-10
Eddie Balchowsky in 1937 as a volunteer of the Spanish Republic’s Abraham Lincoln Brigade during the Spanish Civil War. (Photo via The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives.) 
Music: "He Went to Paris,” Jimmy Buffet, Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads, MCA Records 1992. Listen to the song at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwaqJOsm9Lk.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: The Echo of Eternity.pdf

Learning Through Offenses

Truth is absolute, but our perspective of truth is relative. Once we understand that, we move a long way toward the place where love covers a multitude of offenses. 
Proverbs 10:12; Isaiah 55:1-13; John 6:53-71; 1 Corinthians 13:9-12
Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) receives his father's lightsaber from Obi Wan Kenobi (Sir Alec Guinness) in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Image via Stack Exchange SciFi & Fantasy Community. 
Music: "Binary Sunset (The Force Theme)," John Williams, performed by John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Universal Music Group, 1977.
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Learning Through Offenses.pdf

How To Be Ready

The Bible tells us to watch and pray and be ready, but does it tell us how, and for what? 
Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11; Isaiah 40:1-26; Proverbs 15:22; Matthew 24:42-44, 26:41; 2 Timothy 2:3-4, 3:16-17  
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: How to Be Ready
Music: "Army Blue," U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, American Spirit, Altissimo 2009. 
Illustration: Soldiers Getting the Word, Theodore J. Abraham. This illustration from the Vietnam War applies to all soldiers at any time and any place. (U.S. Army Center of Military History, August 1999.)

The Time Of Our Visitation

It's possible to live through earth-shaking times and miss the really important things. That's why it's good to remember that God's redemptive plan hinges on Israel and Israel's Messiah.
Psalm 121:1-8; Esther 8:13-14; Zechariah 12:3; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 19:41-44; Romans 11:25-27; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Left: Revelers at the “Fantasy Fair” in Mill Valley, California during the Summer of Love (Photo by Elaine Mayes, California Historical Society, “On the Road to the Summer of Love Exhibition," via History.com). Right: Israeli paratroopers sits along the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City on June 7, 1967 (Israeli Defense Ministry IDF Archive, via Jewish Virtual Library.) 
Music:"Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” The Beatles, The Beatles, 1967-1970 Disc 1, Capitol Records 1970; "Chorus: He, Watching Over Israel," Felix Mendelssohn, performed by Gabrieli Consort & Players, Paul McCreesh, Mendelssohn: Elijah, 1846, Signum Records 2012.
Click here to watch the video: The Time of Our Visitation
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: The Time of Our Visitation.pdf