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?
The pandemic has brought out the best in some people.
The nurse who, in spite of the long shifts, stays on to hold the hand of a COVID-19 patient and to be there with his family.
The teacher who when realizing that her virtual-learning student doesn’t have the book he needs, drives it to his house, and takes along a pack of rainbow gum as an added treat.
How to conquer loneliness in a pandemic.
I read a study this week that was completed by Cigna Insurance—back in January—before the pandemic heated up in America.
Even back then, when life still seemed “normal,” more than 60% of Americans reported feeling “lonely, left out, poorly understood, and lacking companionship.” Sixty percent! This is more than three in five Americans. My guess is that most of the industrialized countries see similar numbers. In America, that is an increase of 13% in loneliness in just two years.
Relationships are the best parts of our lives but also can represent some of the most painful aspects..
When we are in sync with those special people in our lives, when we respect our differences and boundaries, when we affirm and show kindness, these relationships build us up as nothing else—short of God—can.
