My Country, A Prayer
Although written nine years ago, this poem expresses the feelings of many readers today.The verses are simple, maybe even naive to the point of being simplistic. They are almost boringly long. The cadence of rhythm and rhyme is ironically singsong at times, repetitious, with no pretense at being serious poetry. But the thoughts, (to […]
Essays in Ephesians #19
The energy, the motive behind the mystery Paul writes about is love. God IS Love—God loves us and He always has.
Essays in Ephesians #17
Can you identify with imprisonment—for any reason? If not in jail, have you ever felt caged in by illness or depression, a limiting job or a controlling system? Do you know…
Words to Abide in
This morning, I reached for my Bible and opened to John 14. I stopped reading at John 15:7, where Jesus says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.”
I wanted that. I wanted it enough to stop and ask, “What must I do to get it?”
Cross Cultural Divides
The women in Jane Austin’s books fascinate me. Especially when they are blinded by their own faulty judgments and opinions. I identify with those who eventually see their mistakes and change their minds—and hearts.
Essays in Ephesians #16
. . . in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2: 21-22 Israel had known God’s glory— through centuries of sporadic yet repeated divine-human interaction through their kings […]
Essays in Ephesians #13
Have you ever actually experienced your own twenty-first century version of this verse? Have you ever far off from God and His promises and then, by faith in Jesus Christ, come near to Him and learned that His promises are true?
Essays in Ephesians #9
This Essay on Ephesians 2:1-3 is more lively than most because I share a few personal eye-opening encounters with the “prince of the power of the air.” It’s long, but alive. And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of […]
Essays in Ephesians #8
What does it mean to you and me that our Father in Heaven gave absolute dominion to His Son and then His Son —and then gives Jesus’ life and power to us?
Essays in Ephesians #6
It’s not always easy to see Jesus. That’s why Paul asked God to give believers a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.Jesus Himself said,I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted Him by the Father. (John 6:65) Even His disciples were blind to his identity. His revelation was progressive. Despite all the miracles revealing . . .
Gleanings — 12
Today the Holy Spirit brought His life to my reading notes on Zachariah’s prophecy of Jesus in Luke 1: 67-69. Ponder them. Perhaps one will come alive for you.
God keeps His promises.
Knowing God through His Word — Part 20
Words about Jesus bounce off many people. I’ve a friend who seems deaf to my kind of faith in God. She is a “good” person—moral, honest and caring. She truly does her best. She is confident of her place with God;. But I’m not as confident. Hoping I don’t judge, I continue to wonder . . .
