[Marlon’s Musings #20] - A Splinter, Spring, and a witch!

Marlon’s Musings #20

When my child was screaming and begging me to stop removing a deep splinter from their hand, I faced a hard choice. Leave it in to avoid more tears? Or do what was best for them, even though it hurt?

That painful moment on a Florida beach gave me a fresh insight into God’s love.

In my latest post, I share how God’s love isn’t always comfortable — and why that’s actually good news. Through the cross, the story of Jonah, and a little wooden splinter, we explore why real love sometimes says “no” or allows pain in the moment for our long-term good.

If you’ve ever wondered why God doesn’t remove every discomfort from your life, this one’s for you.

👉 Read the full post here

Video

Spring has sprung! And my allergies testify to this. You are probably familiar with The Four Seasons by Vivaldi. But did you know that Max Richter “Recomposed” The Four Seasons? Here’s a video of a fresh, “recomposed” version of Vivaldi’s Spring.

Quote

For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself.
Viktor E. Frankl - Man's Search for Meaning (pages 16–17 of the 60th anniversary edition)

Blog

According to my Google search console, one of my most clicked on blog posts is “Saul and the Witch of Endor: What Really Happened in 1 Samuel 28?” and I must admit it is a fascinating and challenging story. Here’s a brief summary of my post.

Confronting the Supernatural: The Story of Saul and the Witch of Endor

When King Saul faced the Philistine army, and God remained silent, he turned to a medium at En Dor—the very practice he had once banned. Desperate for answers, he asked her to summon Samuel.

What appeared next raises profound questions: Was it truly the prophet Samuel, or a demonic deception? The Bible calls this moment unfaithfulness, noting that “Saul died for his unfaithfulness… because he consulted a medium for guidance” and “did not inquire of the Lord” (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).

This powerful account reveals a timeless warning: God honors humble, repentant seeking—not manipulation or shortcuts through forbidden means. Even a king chosen by God can drift into darkness when he prioritizes his own will over God’s clear commands.

Saul wanted God’s power without a relationship with God. The results were tragic.

Read the full post to explore the biblical text, historical context, and the crucial lesson for anyone who claims to follow God today: Are we truly seeking His will, or just trying to use Him for ours?

That’s it for issue #20

For the previous newsletters you may have missed, you can click here (and scroll to the bottom of the page).

Until next time, may God bless you!

Marlon