Wednesday night, I watched the powers of good and evil wrestle over souls overtaken by the devil’s schemes. Two different battles enraged, each seeming to give over to the forces of darkness. Then, a single lantern illuminated Truth. Where did I witness such an epic scene? In the ballet “Unseen” on a Lubbock stage, performed by Christ in the … [Read more...]
Take up your Sword
Too much of “religion” these days focuses on how a person “feels” and on the “worship experience” rather than Teaching the Truth. If the people in attendance experience entertainment, give generously, serve wholeheartedly, even love unconditionally, but leave the assembly with a dull sword and tattered armor, is that congregation fulfilling the … [Read more...]
Always Keep it Simple
Occam’s Razor originally written in Latin is translated "entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily''. This has often been simplified to "the simplest solution is usually the correct one." A later quote by Einstein enforces the original intent, "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." When we ask for explanations, we … [Read more...]
What Will my Future Be?
After looking back last week and remembering the past, this week we look forward. Imagining the distant future has always been a challenge for me. I cannot picture or even fathom what life might be like in a year or two or ten. Even though I cannot visualize how everything will go, I still set goals and work toward a future. In ten years, … [Read more...]
No Shame in the Light
I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Psalm 34:4-5 NLT I discovered this verse earlier this year. Since then, it has become my call to arms. I often write about prayer, how the God who created the world want to … [Read more...]
Lessons in Psalm 34
This Psalm contains many repetitive themes, to the point I made a table to outline them. My prayer is that others may learn from and enjoy this Psalm of David as much as I do. 1 I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. 2 I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. 3 Come, let us … [Read more...]
A Silent Call for Help: Lessons from the book of Esther
Sometimes, the “One Word” Challenge fits so serendipitously with my week or thoughts. I will get back to that. Last week, I listened to several books of the Bible on our way across Texas, in efforts to catch up on our Family Daily Bible Reading Calendar. One of the books I read in this manner was Esther. Esther is the only book in the Bible that … [Read more...]
Walls in My Heart: Lessons from Nehemiah
Nehemiah and Ezra worked on the Temple and city wall together. Their stories overlap yet present different some different information and points of view (like the four gospel accounts). In the past, I paid little attention to the return of the captives, skimming over the story in a rush to read through the entire Bible. In November 2013, we went to … [Read more...]
Immeasurable Abundance
When I visited my grandparents, my Grandfather led the Wednesday night devotional talk. He focused on Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21. When I think of this verse, I sing it, because it is also an Acappella song. (Regular readers should not be surprised). My grandfather talked about praying this verse for his family (how humbling to be present … [Read more...]
Lessons from the Book of Ezra
The book of Ezra opens with Cyrus releasing a portion of the remnant to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of God. He returns the items taken by King Nebuchadnezzar and offers the Israelites everything needed for the task. Soon, his edict is forgotten. Lesson 1: People forget and recorded information gets misplaced. Listen to instructions, … [Read more...]