creation ⁽⁷⁷⁾

Isaiah 49:25–26, Deuteronomy 16:11–12, Galatians 3:23–26 Captivity. When we go to a zoo, we see animals in captivity. In an attempt to keep the animals healthier, zoos invest more and more money to improve the “habitats” of the animals. It feels good to us for…

2 Corinthians 5:14–21 There are many things that are worshipped. Most have supplanted God with something man-made or of human origin: science, politics, identity, work, family. Even the fundamental nature of God—love—has been corrupted by humanity. We are all familiar with 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore,…

Isaiah 24:4–13, Zechariah 14:8–11, Revelation 22:1–5 The curse. As we read about the curse in Isaiah, we can easily read into it the current fears, concerns, and observations regarding our environment. Truth be told, if we are called to be stewards—rather than dominators—of Creation, we…

Psalm 25, Jeremiah 7:21–34, John 16:7–15, Ephesians 4:15–16 The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive. Proverbs 27:6 Truth can be a painful thing. If delivered in the context of true friendship, the pain of the truth is…

1 Corinthians 15:35–49, Mark 4:1-20, John 12:12-28 A life of holiness is a hard pill to swallow in many respects. We look around us and wonder how could any one of these fallen human beings be holy. When we look in the mirror and think…