PSALM 46 My friend and I sat in the sand near the waters, watching waves curl and ripple. He expressed his love for the waters that keep moving without him changing position. Many people struggle to stop their efforts, fearing that halting them will lead to a loss of self or expose them to the constant … [Read more…]
ACTS 2:1–12, 42–47 Maya, the five-year-old daughter of my friend David, approaches playtime in a unique way. She enjoys creating new communities by combining dolls from various playsets. In her imagination, everything is part of the whole. Her people are these. Despite their diverse sizes and forms, she feels that they are happiest when they are together. … [Read more…]
ISAIAH 33:17-22 Amy Carmichael, a renowned orphanage worker in India, experienced “moments of vision” during her work, as described in her book Gold by Moonlight, where she could see the vast land of far distances while standing still on the road. Isaiah, the prophet, predicted a time when God’s rebellious people would return to Him, viewing … [Read more…]
LUKE 6:27–36 Ruby Bridges, a six-year-old African American, was the first child in the American South to integrate an all-white public school in 1960. She was safely registered with Barbara Henry, the only teacher willing to teach her, in spite of threats and insults from angry parents. Child psychiatrist Robert Coles helped Ruby cope with fear and … [Read more…]
JAMES 3:1-12 It was more complicated than just crossing another river. No Roman general had the right by law to command military forces into Rome. Julius Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon River in 49 BC with his Thirteenth Legion into Italy was therefore treasonable. Caesar’s decision had a long-lasting impact and led to years of … [Read more…]
EPHESIANS 2:1–10 Lygon Stevens was a mountain climber, as was her brother Nick. An avalanche carried them off a mountain, killing Lygon and wounding Nick. Nick came upon Lygon’s journal, which was chock-full of prayers, reflections, and thanksgiving. She wrote in her journal that she was a piece of art that God had signed. Despite her … [Read more…]
PSALM 4 At night, what keeps you up? I have been struggling to find a solution to a problem lately, which has caused me to lose sleep and toss and turn in bed. Does that sound familiar? We all succumb to worry at some point, whether it is over strained relationships, an unclear future, or anything else. … [Read more…]
PHILIPPIANS 4:4–9 A mother told me a story a few years ago about how she discovered her adolescent son watching TV footage of a violent incident. She grabbed the remote control and switched the channel off. She told him abruptly, “You do not have to be watching that stuff.” After a disagreement, she finally revealed that … [Read more…]
JOHN 15:1-8 When they were both children, my friend’s brother promised his sister that if she would just “believe,” an umbrella would have enough lift to keep her up. She thus “by faith” jumped off the roof of a barn, knocked herself unconscious, and suffered a minor fracture. God promises to fulfil His promises, but it … [Read more…]
PSALM 142 During childhood, when feeling lonely or rejected, my mother would sing a popular song to me, bringing a smile and helping me appreciate the special relationships and reasons for gratitude I had. Psalm 142, also known as “David’s cry,” is a song that reflects David’s experiences of fear and loneliness. The lyrics, which include … [Read more…]
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