Then the LORD said to Elijah, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” — 1 Kings 17:8-9 The following comes from the online resource The Times of Israel, October 26, 2023. “The [recent]…
Read MoreCostumes. Yes. Candy. Yes. Giving back at this time of the year. What? Think about it. In the tradition of a child at the door with a bag open to receive, it’s possible to do the reverse. The child (or adult) can give something back. Surprise! Or maybe it…
Read MoreWe say the following. I’m going to get fit, avoid stress, make better choices, or improve my relationships with my family. I’m going to knock off that bad habit. I am going to change. And then. Yeah. No change. Sometimes, maybe change comes outside of us. Jesus changes water…
Read MoreStanding nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So…
Read MoreThree go-get-‘em verbs are ask, seek, and knock. We regularly hear about asking, seeking and knocking from life coaches and other well-intended, self-improvement minded, let’s-get-you-moving people. These three verbs also come from Jesus in two scriptures that are almost identical—Matthew 7 and Luke 11. In both texts, Jesus speaks…
Read MoreFor everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. — Matthew 7:8 Pickles. Predicaments. Problems. Been there. Done that. Each of us would pass on any of these triple-Ps if we could. When waking after what…
Read MoreSomeone you know isn’t deeply in love with Jesus. In fact, your someone (who could be you) might say dismissively, tersely, or painfully, “Jesus? Oh, we’re not on speaking terms right now.” This is half true. And I’ll get to this. First, however, English Pre-Raphaelite artist William Holman Hunt…
Read MoreIf you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. — Revelation 3:20b I don’t always hear Jesus. You may not always hear Jesus, either. The reasons why differ for each of us but are also…
Read MoreMetaphor and imagery are musts when it comes to gaining the most from scripture. The strong visuals we create in our minds help us live into our faith not just beautifully but specifically. This is the case in Psalm 24, a lesser rehearsed yet powerful writing that immediately follows…
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