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?
Do you know a gentle person?
It seems in today’s world, the trait of gentleness is becoming harder to find and difficult to cultivate.
The person I know who is gentle is now over 100 years old—but I knew her when she was in her 70s—and my husband knew her when she was in her 50s—and for this entire period of time the term “gentle” describes her perfectly.
Other terms that come to mind are gracious, hospitable, and kind.
We all know gentleness when we see it – but my, it is hard to define!
So often these days, I hear how sad, lonely, tired, and depressed my fellow brothers and sisters in the faith have become with the chaos of these days and the restrictions brought on by the pandemic.
I get it!
In addition to this ministry, I work at a hospital. I have worked in hospitals now for 30+ years. Never has it been so tough. At least not in my lifetime.
But, we are called upon as the Church to be a pillar of strength in such times.
Brothers and sisters, this does not mean we ignore our feelings. You have every reason to feel discouraged, tired, and sad. Yes - every reason.
But you also have every reason to feel filled with hope, renewed energy, joy, and love.
