Week 31 A Gentle Answer Today’s Text: Proverbs 14-15 Key Text: Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Some passages of scripture are very complex. They require careful study, thoughtful analysis, and prayerful discernment. They may require the fine touch of a great scholar who can unpack… Continue reading Week 31 A Gentle Answer
Author: Paul Simrell
The Reverend Paul W. Simrell has served for over thirty years in a variety of congregational and institutional settings. He is a recognized minister with standing in the Virginia region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and is nationally endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for specialized ministry in both pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Ordained in 1982, he has served congregations in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. He currently serves as the pastor of Elpis Christian Church, a small, historic congregation located just a few miles west of Richmond, Virginia. Elpis is the Greek word meaning “expectant hope.” He also serves on the associate clinical staff of the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Richmond, Virginia, both as a pastoral counselor and a ministerial assessment specialist, specializing in executive, clergy and relationship coaching. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and Lexington Theological Seminary and has done advanced clinical training in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor, an ACPE Practitioner, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment and skills-building program and served as a volunteer chaplain for over twenty years with the CJW Medical Center campuses in Richmond, Virginia. His avocational interests include playing the piano and drawing. He is very happily married to his wife Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell, a free-lance writer, who is also a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich program.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Week 31: From Everlasting to Everlasting
Today’s Text: Psalms 90-92 Key Text: Psalm 90:1-2 “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” You’ve heard it before – the only constant in life is change.” I suppose… Continue reading Week 31: From Everlasting to Everlasting
Week 31: Renew the Covenant
Week 31: Renew the Covenant Today’s Text: Second Kings 21-25 Key Text: Second Kings 23:1-3 “Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. He went up to the temple of the LORD with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets—all the people from the least… Continue reading Week 31: Renew the Covenant
Week 31: Holy Time
Week 31: Holy Time Today’s Text: Leviticus 22-24 Key Text: Leviticus 23:1-2 “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.’” Along with all the “rules and regulations” that you find in… Continue reading Week 31: Holy Time
Week 31: Children of the Light
Week 31: Children of the Light Today’s Text: First Thessalonians 4-5 Key Text: First Thessalonians 5:4 “But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or… Continue reading Week 31: Children of the Light
Week 30: You Have Said So
Today’s Text: Luke 23-24 Key Text: Luke 23:1-3 “Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, ‘We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.’ So Pilate asked Jesus, ‘Are you the… Continue reading Week 30: You Have Said So
Week 30: Can These Bones Live?
Week 30 Can These Bones Live? Today’s Text: Ezekiel 37-42 Key Text: 37:1 “The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and… Continue reading Week 30: Can These Bones Live?
Week 30 Shine Brightly
Week 30 Shine Brightly Today’s Text: Proverbs 13 Key Text: Proverbs 13:9 “The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.” Speaking of light… How did you “shine” for God this week? I bet you did – even if you can’t think of an example right off hand.… Continue reading Week 30 Shine Brightly
Week 30: Walk in the Light
Week 30: Walk in the Light Today’s Text: Psalm 87-89 Key Text: Psalm 89:15 “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.” When you think of God’s presence in your life – what comes to mind? Holiness? Judgment? Forgiveness? Grace? Love? Wisdom? Patience? Healing?… Continue reading Week 30: Walk in the Light
Week 30: I Have Heard Your Prayer
Week 30: I Have Heard Your Prayer Today’s Text: Second Kings 16-20 Key Text: Second Kings 20:5 “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third… Continue reading Week 30: I Have Heard Your Prayer