Photo by 一 徐 on Pexels.com “The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming.” Over 2,000 years ago, in Rome, emperor Caesar Augustus demanded that a census be taken in all the lands he had conquered, so he could know what he would collect in taxes. Joseph had no choice but to travel 70 miles with Mary, his very-pregnant wife-to-be, from Nazareth to Bethlehem (since he ..read more

Photo by João Jesus on Pexels.com “…you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.” – 2 Chronicles 19:3 When Christians are reminded of the first of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:3, “Thou shall have no other gods before Me,” we are likely to think, “That’s easy; I only believe in the One, True God.” The “gods” referred to in Exodus 20:3 do not necessary refer to the gods of other religions. One may not need to believe in Buddha, Shiva, Muhammad, or various pagan deities to place other “gods” before the Lord. Asherah poles are mentioned in several b ..read more

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com In the land of Uz there lived a man named Job, described as “upright and blameless before the Lord.” He had a large family, and was incredibly revered, successful, and prosperous in his region. One day, Satan joined the angels in approaching the Lord. Like a predator on the prowl, he visited God after roaming about the earth, looking for someone to devour. God mentioned that there was no person like Job in all the land; that he feared the Lord and avoided that which is evil. Satan suggested that Job only loved and feared God because the Lord had gifted him with w ..read more

Photo by Emma Li on Pexels.com “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.” – Jonah 4:9 When our son was in Kindergarten, he loved to watch the animated Christian series, “Veggie Tales.” As most parents know, children memorize and mimic lines from shows and movies they repeatedly watch at that age. In P.E. class one day, our son was having a difficult time mastering a skill. Out of embarrassment and frustration, he exclaimed, “I would be better off dead!” We received a concerned phone call from the school shortly thereafter. Worried staff heard his cry and hurried him into the counselor’s office for ..read more

Photo by Cameron Casey on Pexels.com Jeremiah 29:11 is probably one of the most well-known and quoted verses of the Bible: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” During difficult times in my past, I would often cling to this verse for hope that life would get better…. even if my own choices and actions had led me to an undesirable place. Do believers use Jeremiah 29:11 as an excuse to make poor decisions, assuming that God, as a Father sighing and shaking his head in Heaven, will ..read more

Photo by Andre Melcher on Pexels.com “Prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child.” – John Scardina A well-known Scripture often used as an encouragement to parents is Proverbs 22:6, which says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” It is implied that if we guide and lead our children correctly, then our children will be well-prepared for life when they become adults. It was not until recently, through further research of this particular Proverb, that I learned this verse is often misused from its original context. King Solom ..read more

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com “And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.  Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” Hebrews 13:12-14 When I was in college, I read The Long Loneliness: An Autobiography of the Legendary Catholic Social Activist Dorothy Day. Day was an American journalist and social activist who was raised in a non-religious home, yet was always drawn to God. She ..read more

“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 I grew up in a safe and quiet faith. I was taught there was a God who created the world and who loved me, but to be transparent, I do not remember much else about the spiritual teachings I learned as a girl. Safe Christianity teaches us that God created angels to protect us from harm, who we can call on in times of need and trouble. But where there is light, surely there must also be darkness. Safe C ..read more

Photo by Jose Vasquez on Pexels.com “Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls.” Hebrews 13:17 Pastor Appreciation Month is observed in October of every year. My dear brothers and sisters, if you have a moment of time this week, I encourage you to read the attached article: https://www.soulshepherding.org/pastors-under-stress/ about pastoral statistics. When someone enters the ministry, they do so because they are fulfilling a calling by God. I am certain the vast majority of pastors would declare that it is an extreme honor to shepherd and to guide a church, an ..read more

Photo by Any Lane on Pexels.com “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.’” Exodus 15:26 The health and wellness market is an industry that encompasses a range of products and services aimed at promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This includes fitness and nutrition products, personal care and beauty items, natural and alternative medicine, spa and ..read more