DANIEL 6:19–28 At a museum, I viewed a large mural-type image of a winged lion symbolising Ishtar, the Babylonian goddess of love and war, one of 120 similar lions that lined a Babylonian pathway between 604 and 562 BC. According to historians, the Hebrew prisoners in Nebuchadnezzar’s empire would have encountered these lions following the Babylonians’ conquest … [Read more…]
MATTHEW 6:10 Someone once said, “The rogation days encourage the Anglican priest to dirty his vestments.” Rogation Days, a lost tradition for some, are four days—the sixth Sunday of Easter and three days thereafter. Rogation is derived from the Latin verb ‘rogare’ which means ‘to ask.’ Rogation Days invite Christians to ask God to bless the earth, asking … [Read more…]
PSALM 78:1–8 The phrase “Prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child” is frequently used on parenting websites, suggesting that instead of removing obstacles, we should equip children to handle the challenges they may face. The psalmist talked of teaching the next generation about the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, … [Read more…]
PHILIPPIANS 1:21–26 Monica, an elderly woman in a hospital, smiled as teenagers visited her. Despite the hot, sticky air, she sang a song: “I am running the race to meet my redeemer!” Those surrounding her started crying as she swung her arms back and forth like she was running. Monica’s singing demonstrated her devotion to … [Read more…]
1 CORINTHIANS 10:1–13 In the Californian city of Santa Barbara, there is a street with an unusual name. “Leave if you can” is what it means; it is called “Salsipuedes.” Spanish-speaking city planners gave the area its name, which was a not-so-subtle caution to stay clear of a marsh that occasionally flooded when it was first established. … [Read more…]
EXODUS 34:1–9; NUMBERS 14:18 Caricature artists in public spaces sketch people willing to pay a small fee for a humorous portrayal of themselves. Caricatures of God are not funny and often lead to a distorted view of Him. People often dismiss these distorted images, as they are not taken seriously. For instance, those who see God as … [Read more…]
DEUTERONOMY 32:1–12 My friend Joseph compared God to an eyelid, leaving me surprised and wondering what he meant by that. “Explain further to me,” I said. We had been studying uncommon biblical imagery together, such as God as a labouring mother (Isaiah 42:14), but this one was new to me. He directed my attention to Deuteronomy … [Read more…]
MATTHEW 26:17–30; HEBREWS 13:15 Dave, who is losing his eyesight, expressed his commitment to daily praising God for His immense support. Dave and all of us have the ultimate reason for such unending gratitude—Jesus. Matthew’s Twenty-sixth Chapter describes how, the evening before He was crucified, Jesus ate the Passover meal with His disciples. After the meal, verse … [Read more…]
MATTHEW 18:23–35; COLOSSIANS 3:13 To assist with an event setup, I got to church early. At the other end of the sanctuary, a woman was sobbing. I swiftly used a vacuum cleaner to drown out her sobbing because she had previously been nasty to me and spread rumours about me. If someone does not like me, … [Read more…]
LUKE 9:51–56; PROVERBS 15:1 A university professor, a former atheist, noticed anti-God bumper stickers on a car. He believed the stickers might provoke anger, which could help atheists justify their beliefs. However, he warned that atheists often find what they seek in such situations. Jesus faced threats and hatred from others but never doubted His deity. When … [Read more…]
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