Author Archives: Jim Gleason

While I was growing up, my mother always went a little overboard with Christmas gifts. We didn’t have a lot of money, but she gave us the things we wanted, and more, for gifts. The rest of the year, we had to make do with what we had. I remember getting a new pair ofContinue reading “Giving Good Gifts”

In our culture we sometimes use the expression, “I owe you” to describe a felt obligation to repay a kind deed. However, it can also be used to enflame a desire for revenge after we have been harmed. In either case, there exists no standard for when we owe somebody or what we owe. WeContinue reading ““I Owe You””

In professional football, every team puts in many hours and much effort in devising the game plan. Coaches review hours of film from previous games to determine what the other team tries to do. Then they try to understand what the opponent will do against their team. They devise the game plan to counter whatContinue reading “Game Plan”

Samuel was a prophet chosen by God to judge and lead Israel. But the people wanted a king, so that they could be like the other nations. In desiring a king they were rejecting God as their king. Saul was chosen to be their king. He was tall, handsome and strong, all the desired qualificationsContinue reading “A Heart Worthy of Favor”

Abraham’s story is told in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, and retold by the apostle Paul in the New Testament book of Romans. God spoke to Abraham and told him to move to a land that he did not know. Along with these instructions, God gave Abraham a promise. Abraham was told thatContinue reading “Abraham’s Faith”