Weight

Lord, the weight of this week is heavy. The calendar itself feels bruised. September 11 still cries out from the dust—flames, falling towers, and faces never forgotten. A wound that does not heal, a scar that still aches with each anniversary. And now—new losses layered upon old ones. Loved ones are remembered with tears. Stories … Continue reading Weight

Weeping

We have a place for weeping and mourning at Christmas because of the pain following Jesus’ birth. People experienced death, violence, injustice, abuse of power, and homelessness. Life, including the Christmas season, is marked by birth and celebration as well as death and loss. This is where the Bible offers a unique perspective through pain and sorrow: hope. 

Good Friday

The cross, a symbol of horror, was the expression of God's love through His Son's atoning sacrifice. The death of Jesus on a cross on that Friday long ago was good for those who believe He died for their sin because Sunday's coming, too.

Hopeless

Whenever we face political turmoil, personal trials, painful tragedies in our lives, we can simply endure them, we can try to escape them, or we can entrust our lives to God through them. The Book of Ruth encourages us to hope in God in hopeless times because our Savior, Redeemer, and Friend, JESUS, is the King of kings.

Unnecessary

Like many gifts for Christmas, birthdays, special occasions, God's gift of grace has become expected. We forget that God's grace is a gift - an unnecessary and costly one.

Numbers

Reading thru the Old Testament pentateuch book of Numbers is difficult but not just because of soooo many laws, regulations, and details of ceremonial and personal holiness. Numbers is a tough read because of the conflict and rebellion of good people, God's people, who experienced many miraculous experiences of God's faithfulness (Egyptian plagues, crossing the … Continue reading Numbers

King Jesus

Reading thru the Bible in 2019, the plan I’m using includes some Old Testament and New each day. Today’s reading included Zechariah 9 and Revelation 19 - a prophecy regarding the promised Messiah entering Jerusalem as a king riding a donkey of peace and, then, the anticipation of Jesus’ second coming riding a white horse … Continue reading King Jesus

Leviticus Christmas

It’s often said that Jesus is the Reason for the Season. In the same way, Leviticus is the basis for Christmas. That’s right. Leviticus. At the very heart of the Christmas story lies the all-important doctrine of the Atonement. How can sinful people, separated from God in their sin and selfishness, be reconciled to a … Continue reading Leviticus Christmas