The way in which a person responds to opposition reveals the stuff he's made of. Nehemiah had barely unpacked his toothbrush in the ruined city of Jerusalem when his enemies started sharpening their swords -- and their tongues. Commentator Derek Kidner writes, "Sanballat and Tobiah throw a long shadow over the story." The truth is that without… Continue reading Just One Thing: Opposition
Tag: Nehemiah
Just One Thing: Politics
"The moment one life impinges on another, politics begin." Well said, Eugene Peterson (as usual), and certainly Nehemiah learned this lesson repeatedly in his quest to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. There is no avoiding politics because there is no avoiding power and its use and misuse. In Nehemiah's time, the minor officials of the… Continue reading Just One Thing: Politics
Just One Thing: “Awesome”
I have learned that it is curmudgeonly to quibble over words and their usage, but, having acknowledged that this is the case, I will take the risk of appearing to be a teensy bit cantankerous in order to get to the point of Nehemiah's prayer in chapter one of his Old Testament memoir. Derek Kidner's commentary… Continue reading Just One Thing: “Awesome”
Just One Thing: Urgency
The book of Nehemiah is a shining example of one man's methods of accomplishing his goals. Most of us lack the passion (or even the attention span) to mourn and pray and fast over anything for four months, even if it affects us personally. Nehemiah grieved over a problem that was a thousand miles away… Continue reading Just One Thing: Urgency
Just One Thing: Story Arc
I have a tendency to get stuck in time. It was true when I was single; it has been true of my days as a parent; it is true when my back flares up or when I am sick. I believe -- falsely -- that whatever is going on at the moment is insurmountable and… Continue reading Just One Thing: Story Arc
Living Our Days 