These posts discuss various aspects of personal development. They focus on practical ways that we can bring change to our lives.
After Jacob’s encounter with God, he was ready to meet his brother. His experience of wrestling with the Man in the dark has served to prepare him. For Jacob, however, he is still going to, “Where the Wild Things Are.” He has no idea how his brother will receive him. Is Esau still wanting to […]
Where the Wild Things Are- Part Two Read More »
That was one of my favorite books as a kid. As a dad, I read it to my girls. It is just a fun story. The monsters are big and ugly but they aren’t too scary. I don’t ever remember being scared of monsters hiding in the dark, but for some people, darkness intensifies their
Where the Wild Things Are Read More »
“I was afraid.” About twenty years after arriving at Uncle Laban’s house, Jacob decides to go back home. There was constant tension between him and his uncle. Jacob’s family and fortune had grown quite large. Did he also remember God’s promise to bring him back home? Rather than letting Laban know his intentions, Jacob loaded
Fleeing the Present only to Confront the Past Read More »
One of my favorite parts of the Jacob story is when he hooks up with his Uncle Laban. While Jacob might be an amateur con-artist, Laban is a professional. Laban takes advantage of young Jacob in spectacular ways. The most interesting way that Laban deceives Jacob is on his wedding night. Jacob had fallen head over
Why is She in my Bed? Read More »
I am very happy to announce the upcoming release of my new e-book, Leadership into the 21st Century…and Beyond. For a limited time it will only be available here at www.davidspell.com. I will be sending out more details later but I wanted to give all my friends a little heads up on what was going
Special Announcement! Read More »
A few years later, Jacob shafted Esau again, this time with the help of their mother. I don’t want to rush through this. Jacob not only took advantage of Esau, he also took advantage of their old invalid father. He and his mother concocted a plan to deceive the almost blind, bedridden Isaac. In so doing,
You Can Run but You Can’t Hide Read More »
Esau traded his birthright, his future, his destiny for a bowl of soup. In a very real sense, that is what Adam and Eve did. “The tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her.” They traded freedom for bondage. I have had the privilege of doing
The Trade- Part Two Read More »
The first clear window into Jacob’s character occurs one day with his brother. Esau comes home hungry. The hunting hasn’t been good and he asks for some of soup that Jacob had whipped up. Jacob uses this opportunity to take advantage of his brother. Remember, Jacob’s name means, “supplanter or deceiver.” It could even refer
Just a Normal Jewish Family? The story of Esau and Jacob has always fascinated me. This was a very dysfunctional family. If they had television back then, I am sure that they would have made it onto The Jerry Springer Show or even had their own reality show. If I am honest, I have to
Just a Normal Jewish Family? Read More »
4. Learn to Manage Stress. Stress is a killer. We often think in terms of eliminating stress but this is unrealistic. It is much more realisitic to talk about managing stress. I discuss this in more detail here. If we learn to manage life’s stresses, we will find that we are becoming a much stronger human
Tips on Living Better, Longer- Part Two Read More »
