gift ⁽⁶⁵⁾

Psalm 135; Daniel 3:1–30; 1 John 2:3–11 The fiery furnace story with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Hebrew names: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) is one of those ever-present Sunday School stories. It is a great story of faith, trust, and most importantly…love. Love. Yes. Faith and…

Psalm 133; Daniel 2:24–49; John 12:44–50 One of the gifts of being human is speech. One of the curses of being human is speech. Perhaps the whole reason for the King of Babylon’s test of all the magi and wise men was that they all…

Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24; Song of Solomon 3:1–11 If there ever was a book of the Bible that was inappropriate for younger audiences it would be the Song of Solomon (or the Song of Songs). In some traditions, the Song of Solomon is not permitted to…

Psalm 51:1–12; Habakkuk 3:2–13; John 12:1–11 That household is a problem. That’s pretty much the description for the household of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. One dies, is buried for 3 days, and then lives again (and will die again). Another takes some really expensive stuff…

Psalm 51:1–12; Isaiah 30:15–18; Hebrews 4:1–13 This passage from Isaiah was written for me. It sounds like my life. “Lord, help me figure this out.” “Wait.” “Argh! It’s too much! I’ve got to do something!” “Wait.” “I can’t wait! It’s too much!” [time passes] “Well,…