They followed Jesus around, repeatedly confronting Him and looking for ways to undermine His teaching and authority. Their motives were substantiated by over 200 hundred years of spiritual authority over Israel. The Pharisees were doctors of the Law, responsible for teaching in the synagogues, which had become an important secondary institution in Jewish life following the building of the Second Temple around 530 B.C. by Ezra, after the Babylonian exile. The people believed the Pharisees. Continue Reading
Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes {Recharge Wednesday Linkup}
Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes The quote was scrolling across the TV screen while the leader talked. I immediately started thinking about the truth behind those words. It was one week before the beginning of the new school year and I knew it was time to start putting to practice some of the changes that I had committed to make during the summer. Well, let me rephrase it: It was time to start implementing some of the changes that God instructed me to make. Leave it to me, and I Continue Reading
Trust that Still Small Voice {The Atlanta Journal Constitution}
I recently read a story about blind skiers in the 1988 Olympics in Canada which perfectly complemented a lesson I gathered from my Scripture reading that day. According to the story, a television program preceding the 1988 Winter Olympics featured blind skiers in training for slalom skiing. The thought of blind men and women skiing down a slope is already quite extraordinary. Add to it a course full of poles and gates that must be avoided or jumped over and it is hard to fathom the difficulty of Continue Reading
Spiritual Fitness Verses {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
Several of my freelance clients are in the fitness industry, so I’ve recently written a lot about workouts and resolutions. It seems “getting in shape” is the goal of many! Debbie Wilson recently wrote here about exercising our souls so we have firm faith instead of fragile faith. She wisely points out: “Because faith is living, it needs constant care. Just as we eat, sleep, exercise, and practice good daily hygiene to enjoy physical health so we must work to maintain vibrant Continue Reading
A Tribute to our Friend: David Miller
“Don’t let seminary mess you up, Patricia.” Those were David Miller’s words at the end of our phone conversation last November. I chuckled. Leave it to David to have such reaction when I announced my decision to start a master’s program last Fall: “I know, my friend, I know.” I replied, laughing, “I will keep that in mind.” He was dead serious. His advice was as honest as his heart. And it is that genuine, fiery zeal for the Kingdom and selfless approach to Kingdom work that characterized, Continue Reading
Remembering A Forget-Me-Not God {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
I forgot. Please tell me I’m not the only person struck with the disease of forgetting. Do you ever forget? To call a friend. An important meeting. To pay a bill. Where you put the car keys. Details that happened yesterday, last week, or last year. I hope you answered yes to at least one. Feeling Forgotten Or, like me, have you ever wondered if a friend forgot about you? She seems to talk with other friends and they go to dinner together. But she hasn’t called you in Continue Reading
