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?
What is different about this generation is that we rarely have quiet moments.
At the same time, we want to hear the voice of God. We want the Holy Spirit to “speak” to us.
But how can he when we never have quiet?
With this in mind, I was intrigued by a piece that Beliefnet published this month, “5 Ways the Holy Spirit Tries to Get Your Attention”.
Christmas is a magical season—Christmas trees, bright lights, garland, wreaths. In the midst of dark and winter—in the Northern Hemisphere—this season brightens our lives. There is a sense of magic—a feeling of hope for even the staunchest non-believers..
The buildup to the day is part of the magic. The ritual of putting up the tree. Of hanging the stockings. These rituals make the day itself even more special.
To those who are not Christians, it is a build up to a day of gifts, family, friends and good food.
To Christians, Christmas is so much more.
What is the biggest weight you have ever carried?
I know some mothers think it is their growing children.
My children are grown. So, these days, the heaviest items I carry are bags of salt for my water purifier (not fun) and my grandchildren (pure joy)!
But, truly, these aren’t the heaviest weights I carry.
We have all experienced it: you see a good opportunity to help someone, to start a ministry, to do something for your community—and so you “go for it”… and nothing happens. Or worse, if falls flat.
Or, you think about doing something and seek confirmation—a sign an opportunity—that shows that this is God’s will in your life. And, nothing happens. No sign. No confirmation.
And, disappointment sets in. The doors are closed.
So, what do you do?
