"He established a testimony in Jacob." Psalm 78:5 It was a typical night. I crawled into my bed and settled down to read a bit. After a short prayer, I found myself in Psalm 78. I’m not sure what it was about verse 5, but it gripped my attention. Again and again, I read the line, “He established a testimony in Jacob.” I began considering how his testimony was “established.” I recalled the story of Jacob’s life found in Genesis 25-32. I considered all of his mess-ups and mishaps. How he conned his brother and father and ended up with a birthright and blessing that he did not merit. How he worked long and hard for years before he ... Read the Post...
Walking in Darkness
Have you ever found yourself clinging tightly to the last words of a loved one? Maybe it was your best friend who moved away in the sixth grade or your favorite boss’s farewell address upon retirement. In the last few days of her life, my grandmother spoke words of kindness and love to me that I plan to carry with me until my own dying day. Sometimes a person’s last words are endearing, truth-bearing, and simply unforgettable. Lately, I’ve been rereading through the last few chapters of the book of Matthew in the Bible. Something about Jesus’ last words to the general public, the religious crowd, and his closest friends ... Read the Post...
Context Found in Nehemiah
Greetings! I know it’s been a while since I’ve written. But there’s been a good reason or two… First of all, we have a new fur baby! He’s 5 weeks old, super-soft, and totally adorable! However, my every waking and sleeping moment has been dominated by his need to eat, potty, play, and sleep. Ironically, it didn’t take me long to sober up from our family puppy craze as I took him outside to potty at 12, 2, and 4 am our first night with him. I had forgotten how a new puppy is having like a new baby! [sigh] Let’s just say there haven’t been too many spare moments to sit and write lately. And boy, have I missed it!! In ... Read the Post...
All Wisdom and Knowledge
"…We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives…." Colossians 1:9b Have you ever done an optical illusion puzzle online where you have to stare at something and then respond with what you initially see? Sometimes they ask you to record the first three words you see or perhaps the number hidden in the illusion. But after you look up the answers, often you find there was something else hidden in the picture that somehow you missed the first time. Nobody likes the feeling of being duped. Though it's easy to shrug off a silly online puzzle, it's tough when ... Read the Post...
