In some cities it is quite popular to visit graveyards and go on spooky tours. The city of
New Orleans has thousands of tourists that pay to go through their cemeteries to hear
stories of the past, admire the tomb’s architectural elements, and seek the suspense of
getting spooked while there.
It was common in those days to have village rivalry, so Nathanael’s skeptical attitude
toward Jesus would not be a surprising response. Important or famous people did not
come from small villages.
Throughout Jesus' ministry we find Him surrounded by some of his closest friends. One
of his closest friends was Simon Peter. Throughout the gospels we see how Peter was
a witness to many miraculous things Jesus did.
Some of the best movies are the ones that get you to feel intense emotions. While in the
midst of the climactic scene, tears are strolling down our face, because deep inside of
us we can sympathize with what the character is going through.
“The doctor found a suspicious spot; he would like for you to come in and have another
scan,” the voice said over the phone. I stood there stunned for a second. Did I hear that
right? Could it really be something?
The pages of Amos are filled with sorrow—this lament I take up concerning you: “Fallen is virgin Israel, never to rise again” (5:2). The visions the LORD gives his prophet are too great to bear.
Ah, the key verse of Amos makes its way to the surface: justice and righteousness, rolling on like a river, a never-failing stream. As Peterson (MSG) puts it, “That’s what I want. That’s all I want” says the Lord.
Rhetoric: “the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech” (online Oxford Languages). Amos is variously praised in the commentaries for his gifted writing. I was intrigued.
Spring had sprung and my garden was sorely in need. Grabbing my gardening gloves and clippers and long-handled pruning shears, I headed for the yard. I trimmed and chopped and wrestled with all that dead wood, keeping a sharp eye out for the tender new growth—such tedious, nit-picking work.
The LORD God Almighty was not the least bit happy with the state of affairs in the Promised Land. Oh, it was not just His people—sin was rampant in all the bordering nations of Israel.
Confronted with examples and a clearer understanding of patience, I am challenged to grow beyond my adult version of patience—biting my tongue and deep breathing.
Mother taught me how to sew at a young age. At first, she personally handled the do-overs because removing stitches required too much patience for a child. Eventually, though, she announced, “Anyone who sews must also be willing to rip!”
As a child, I remember the pastor referring to the Holy Spirit as the Holy Ghost. Since Casper-the-Friendly-Ghost was one of my favorite cartoons, it is not a stretch to understand why I considered the Holy Spirit to be a friendly version of Casper!
In discipling a young believer from Central Asian, I often heard tales of the immense patience she has received from the Lord.
“Hold your horses!” Though I did not understand the phrase, I did know Mother intended me to settle-down-and-be-patient. I still struggle with patience, but God does not. It is part of His essence as well as His Son’s and His Holy Spirit’s.
I was 23 when tragedy struck our family. My mom lost a courageous battle with cancer. I found myself despondent and somewhat lost. I learned a valuable life lesson from God’s Word that can be summed up in 2 words: Who Knows?
Awhile back while watching THE BIBLE miniseries I was shocked and awakened when I realized the impact one person could make in history. Another astounding realization (that I could unfortunately relate to) was how often a person traded in a moment what they really needed the most.
Recently on a short drive between adjoining towns in Texas, I became lost. The crazy thing was I had the directions in my hand. How did I get lost with directions in my hand?
From the beginning of time, the enemy of our souls has worked to get our attention on what we don’t have. Take Eve for example…of all the wonderful things available to her in the Garden of Eden, the enemy caused her to focus on the one tree that was not available to her.
I watched my mom lose her battle with a wretched disease and yet watched, at the same time, the miracle of life growing inside me.
