Each year, I listen to a daily audio Bible podcast—and complete the Bible in one year. This year marks my sixth year through the Bible.
Why don’t I stop?
Every year, I learn new aspects of the Bible because each year, I am in a different place in my life, and the Holy Spirit speaks to me where I am.
The Bible is always fresh! It is always alive!
It is the only book that has a Living Spirit within it.
Each year, when I get to Judges in the Old Testament, I say, “Oh boy!” because I know what is ahead.
Passover begins this evening.
It is one of the most significant Jewish Holidays, commemorating when the angels of God “passed over” the Hebrews as the firstborn children and animals of the Egyptians were killed—all because Pharoah would not set the Hebrews free as God commanded.
With this final plague on Egypt, Pharoah agreed to free the Hebrews so they might begin their journey to the promised land.
God instructed the Jews to commemorate the first Passover, when they had marked their houses with blood, alerting the angels to “pass over” their homes.
Christians draw parallels in their faith,
This week, I was listening to a minister on the radio who noted that in the days after His resurrection, Jesus did not appear to Pilate to tell him that he had been wrong in ordering His crucifixion.
Jesus did not appear to the Jewish leaders and chastise them for not believing and demanding His death.
He did not appear to the Roman soldiers who nailed Him on the cross.
Why?
Today, I was drinking in the beautiful hymns of Psalm Sunday. They are majestic, powerful, and inspirational!
Among my very favorites is All Glory, Laud and Honor. When I close my eyes and listen to the lyrics, I can feel all the emotions I imagine those present at Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The hope. The joy. The expectation.
As Christians, we carry the hope, joy, and expectation at our Lord’s second coming. Feel this excitement. Play this song and sing along. It is a wonderful way to enter into the spirit of Holy Week.
What are some of your favorite Holy Week Hymns/ song?
Often, when those who do not believe in the God, we serve look at our lives, they question the very existence of God.
“If this God truly loves His people, why does He allow them the same pains and sufferings as those who don’t believe?”
Christians, too, have asked this question.
I have asked it myself.
But when I do,
Life takes turns we cannot anticipate.
In 2022, I published my first novel. In the months preceding the release date, I scheduled book signings and speaking events two weeks before the release and several weeks after.
Two weeks before the release of my book, a member of my family became quite ill and needed my attention for several weeks. I canceled all events—and had no regrets. My family is my priority only behind my service to God.
In 2023, my second novel was scheduled for release. Again,
If you have had the privilege of hanging out with a young child, you soon experience how they see the world through the lens of wonder.
“Come see this!”
“Can you believe it?”
From ants on a giant anthill to a purple leaf slowly falling to the ground.
From the taste of honeysuckle to finding the light of the night’s first star.
Everything stirs wonder.
When was the last time you felt wonder?
What is wonder?
I love praise songs and contemporary hymns. I enjoy the beat, the spirit, and the ease with which they can be sung.
But I find it sad that so few churches today incorporate traditional hymns into their worship services.
The traditional hymns were written when there were no computers, television, or radio. It was a time when men and women focused on faith, family, friends, and the work of their hands. They read many books and met regularly in churches, gathering houses, pubs, and each other’s homes to discuss thoughts, ideas, and faith.
t is no accident that you are here—now—right where you are.
But, why are you here?
What are you called to do?
1 Corinthians 12: 27-31 (ESV) states:
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess the gift of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
You might not know what your gift is.
But there are several ways to determine the gift or gifts God has given you:
