The Bible is filled with reminders to “remember.” Yet, have you noticed how many times God’s people get themselves in deep trouble because they forget? Throughout the Old Testament we see the disastrous effects of God’s people failing to remember the great works of the Lord. Read through almost any part of Israel’s story and you will see a direct link between forgetfulness and...
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The Starbucks cups have changed, Christmas carols are playing on the radio, and twinkling lights brighten the long, cold nights. This season brings joy, hope, and anticipation. But for many, it also brings a season of longing. Recently, my youngest son carefully curated his Christmas list, his childlike excitement building as he anticipated the gifts...
Children love a good story, and there is power in telling a story to captivate their attention. Jesus understood the captivating nature of a good story. Early in his ministry the crowds gathered to hear Jesus. Matthew recounts those early days as the introduction to the parable (story) of the sower: “Great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd...
Several years ago, we visited a restaurant with my husband’s side of our family. There was an inflatable snowman in the lobby, and during our long wait to be seated, we observed that every few minutes a fan would turn on, blowing air into the white nylon heap on the floor, expanding it to become a snowman. Then the fan would switch off, and the snowman would slowly “melt” to the floor. Two of our...
When was the last time your church’s youth group studied an Old Testament prophet? Or the last time your family discussed the prophets around the dinner table? Let’s be honest—the prophets can feel intimidating! There’s apocalyptic language (as in Daniel), bizarre-sounding visions (as in Ezekiel and Zechariah), troubling speeches about the calamity promised to God’s enemies, and other confusing...
