We must struggle against the temptation to make religion transactional, or about anything other than being gracious and faithful to God.
One Like Yourself - Devotion on Psalm 50:19-20
God tells the people they need to check their lies, deceit, and hate. Just because God was not speaking for a while does not mean that they could falsely believe that God was just like them and condoned that behavior.
As the Deer - Bible Study on Psalm 42:1-2
We can all sense that we are more than just the materials that make us up - the atoms, molecules, neuro-chemical reactions in the brain. We can feel the need for a connection at a deeper level, and that level is what we call in the Old Testament "the soul". In Psalm 42, the soul is compared to a deer, thirsty and longing to connect with God, and it need the Lord like it needs water. By Pastor Lars Hammar
The Jubilee Year and Forgiving Debts
God commands that every seventh day we rest, every seventh year we let the land rest, and every 50th year we forgive all debts. Why does God mandate so much rest, and why, in particular, get involved in banking and credit issues? Debt can be a tool of control - even enslavement - and the forgiveness of debts a good social “reset” to restore society and prevent abuse.
God In Nature - Reflections by Pastor Lars Hammar
After spending many years both growing up in the woods, working in forest camps, and meditating on faith there, I have found my faith in Christ strengthened through learning about both the beautiful and cruel sides of nature.