There's a well-known worship song that says: "every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise." While the term 'blessing' is often thoughtlessly used, it refers to a deep happiness or gift that God brings into our lives. Hannah, a Hebrew woman we encounter in 1 Samuel, was someone who knew about both receiving …
How is God Speaking to You? (week 19)
What is God saying to you as you read the Scriptures? A number of people are joining me this year in reading through the Bible in a year together in 2011. Whether you are participating in that or not, I would love to hear from you about how God has been speaking to you in …
My Story – God’s Story
Reading the Old Testament story of Ruth brings into focus the powerful truth that the story of our lives intersects with God's story for human history. There are four aspects to Ruth's story that struck me as I read it this time around as part of "Through the Bible 2011." Loss Ruth enters into the …
How is God Speaking to You? (week 18)
God is speaking to you and me through the Scriptures. What is He saying? I would love to hear from you about that. A number of people have joined me in reading through the Bible in a year together in 2011. Every week, I will simply be leaving a small post where you all can …
Jesus Was Still
When a person dies, there is a sudden and unsettling stillness that settles into their body. It feels and looks unnatural because there is an utter stillness. Unlike sleep, where the rhythm of breathing usually conveys a peaceful and restorative rest, the stillness of death seems harsh. Jesus died on the cross. His brutalized body …
Matthew Erickson 