We are seen

“And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” Luke 7:13-14

This is such a cool story. I love the way it is told. But there is something missing….

Jesus is approaching the village of Nain, and a funeral procession is coming out of the city. He sees the dead man’s mom weeping, and he has compassion on her….asks her not to cry. Everybody stops. Jesus touches the bier, and brings her son back to life.

What’s missing? Continue reading “We are seen” →

In or out?

“But if you say, ‘We will not remain in this land,’ disobeying the voice of the Lord your God and saying, ‘No, we will go to the land of Egypt, where we shall not see war or hear the sound of the trumpet or be hungry for bread, and we will dwell there; then hear the word of the Lord, O remnant of Judah. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: If you set your faces to enter Egypt and go to live there, then the sword that you fear shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine of which you are afraid shall follow close after you to Egypt, and there you shall die.” Jeremiah 42:13-16

When challenges flow strongly into the day, are you “in,” or “out?” Too often, I’m out. Continue reading “In or out?” →

Get carried away

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.” Psalm 91:14

The Hebrew language is as high and as wide, as deep and as long, as it is old. That is to our advantage. Many of its words and their varied uses are rich portraits of shade and nuance into which we can gaze wonderingly and get drenched well with meaning. To read it is to walk in a story that unfolds on a pathway of color and ideas that beckons one to join in and explore. It calls one to become an active participant in understanding. It is alive. Continue reading “Get carried away” →

At home in God

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.” Psalm 90:1

Moses wrote this psalm, we believe, soon after the Israelites had been delivered from slavery in Egypt but near the time they began to grumble about being led into a barren and bleak desert. “What are we going to eat or drink?” “Where are we going?” “How long until we get there?” “What will happen along the way?” “What will happen when we get there?” “By the way, where is ‘there?'” Even though they were now free, they were alone and completely dependent on God for daily living.

Where were they? Right where God wanted them: in a dependent relationship with Him. They didn’t know then, but they were “home.”

How do we know when we are, “home?” Continue reading “At home in God” →

He drew near

“While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” Luke 24: 15-16

This is a small part in a great story about two of Jesus’ followers walking together on the road that leads to the village of Emmaus, near Jerusalem in about 30 AD. They have lost their leader and good friend who has been brutally beaten and murdered by the Roman Empire. And, that very morning, they have heard stories that His body is now missing and that He has returned to life. They are lost and absorbed in questions and real doubts. They are so involved with their own thinking and conversation that they don’t realize another One has begun to walk with them on the road. They don’t recognize him, either. Mystery. Continue reading “He drew near” →