When he [the man] saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. —Genesis 32:25 NLT What strikes me in this text is the strike itself. God didn’t have a “oops” moment; the Divine Grappler didn’t get carried…
Read MoreThe decision of where to send our school-aged children this fall is going to be so very, very hard. Please don’t breeze over your decision, even if, as a parent or guardian, you’ve already made up your mind as to how—and where—your student/s will start this academic school year….
Read MoreNow Laban had two daughters. The older daughter was named Leah, and the younger one was Rachel. There was no sparkle in Leah’s eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful figure and a lovely face. —Genesis 29:16 NLT We like good advice. When the minutia of a verse lingered…
Read MoreIn a flash, there it was. Her hand. Out there for me to shake. Um, I thought, now what? She raised a shoulder with what we can now call the social distancing shrug. This was followed with her half question/half mumble of whether or not I was okay…
Read MoreRebekah, an expectant wife, experiences what scripture calls a struggle. As challenging as it is to believe to those new to the story, the twins in her womb are in battle with each other. This war in the womb is so bad she goes to the Lord and asks…
Read MoreThe next morning, Jacob got up very early. He took the stone he had rested his head against, and he set it upright as a memorial pillar. Then he poured olive oil over it. — Genesis 28:18 The morning after the greatest dream Jacob ever had needed something. Something…
Read MoreIsaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob. —Genesis 25:28 A few years ago, a well-meaning soul in the congregation shared a remark that sticks with me. She said, “I don’t know how you do it sometimes. Honestly. Having to…
Read MoreMaybe you’ve heard from a Henny Penny or two. From a theological perspective, they are sharing the end of time is near. It is important to remind ourselves that apocalyptic literature has been with us long before the Bible gifted humanity, and, in these particularly challenging times, we should know…
Read More“No!” Abraham responded. “Be careful never to take my son there. For the LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and my native land, solemnly promised to give this land to my descendants.”—Genesis 24:6 From sea to shining sea, many Americans are objecting—or…
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