When I write something I’m thinking about publishing on my blog, I constantly refer to a thesaurus. A good writer, by our modern definition, mixes up words and phrases. Repetition makes for boring reading. But biblical authors would take issue with that. Repetition, they would say, makes for spirited reading. Using the same word over … Continue reading I See You. I Am Here. (part 3)
We ended the first part of this account in a very dark place. Sarai’s plan A for a family—waiting to receive God’s promise—hasn’t worked out in a decade. Plan B—pushing her own solution and timetable—has lead to family hostilities. And she still has no children. Abram is making bad decisions right and left. Hagar, assaulted … Continue reading I See You. I Am Here. (part 2)
“How ya doing?” said the pastor on Sunday. This is our common greeting, but he told us this isn’t how people greet each other in parts of South Africa1. When somebody there passes you by, they don’t ask a question. They look at you and make a statement: “I see you.” “There’s something about being … Continue reading I See You. I Am Here. (part 1)
In a world bent on finger pointing here, there, and everywhere, the words of Brooke Ligertwood’s (video, lyrics) song remind me where I should point my finger first: Nineveh. O Nineveh, a place of injustice and indifference, selfishness and the burning embers of pride. Where is there rebellion instead of surrender?Turn my eyes there. Where … Continue reading Nineveh, O Nineveh
BibleProject has started a new podcast series on God’s response to the human power structure of firstborns. There’s a biblical design pattern, says Tim Mackie that “God is constantly subverting and overturning the natural human assumptions about power and privilege.” Firstborns, in the ancient Near East, were typically in an elevated position of status and … Continue reading Biblical Design Pattern: Firstborns
I’m an in-the-weeds person. In the details is where I spend my days – spreadsheets, software code, recipes. I’m looking out for fuzzy caterpillars on the hiking trail while others admire the vistas. Sometimes (okay, often times) I can miss the big picture. It’s no different reading the Bible. I’m drawn to the details of … Continue reading The Epic of Eden
If Jesus had read comic strips, I think His favorite might have been Calvin & Hobbes. In case you’re unfamiliar with the comic, this is Calvin. He’s a 6-year-old boy who is, well… a 6-year-old boy. He is funny, mischievous, asks a lot of “why?” questions, and is scared of the monsters that might be … Continue reading Calvin, Hobbes, and Jesus
Liar, liar, pants on fire,hanging from a telephone wire. I always assumed it was the liar who’s pants were on fire in this children’s rhyme. It’s the liar who ends up hanging from the telephone wire, right? But I’ve started to wonder, could it be that we’re the one with smoking pants in a precarious … Continue reading Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire
When I can’t find the words to pray, I reach for either the Book of Psalms or The Lord’s Prayer. Tonight, it is Jesus’ prayer in the King James Version that helps form my request to the Mercy Seat. Our Father No war is a surprise to you. No stealth invasion is stealth, no plans … Continue reading Our Father, Remember Ukraine
A picture is worth a thousand words, or so the saying goes, but what if an event happened so long ago that no picture remains. No painting of it preserved. No film kept on file. All that’s left are words. Ancient words at that, about an even more ancient event. Before the Genesis we know … Continue reading Before “In The Beginning”
Lord, Come Quickly 