Jesus in James
Taking a quick glance at our background photo today, one would not even question whether or not this is a gate. However … upon taking a closer look, the question arises: Is this really a gate?? It doesn’t…
Jesus in Hebrews
Our background gate today is weary. It is weathered and worn down. So also the book of Hebrews was written to people who were weary. They were being persecuted for their faith in Jesus. They were worn out.…
Jesus in Philemon
Our gate today is a very warm welcoming gate. It looks like we are coming home. As humans we are well-aware that we make mistakes. We fail. We mess up. Yet God offers us grace and forgiveness. Because…
Jesus in Titus
What does it mean to be a Christian?? What does it look like to live the Christian life?? The book of Titus offers the answer. The island of Crete is located in the Mediterranean Sea, below Greece and…
The Hope of New Life
When we moved into our home a couple of years ago, there existed underneath the back deck a small bird’s nest. It was built high in a protected corner and served as home for many little bird babies…
Jesus in 2 Timothy
Our gate today is a lonely gate … near the bottom of a steep hill. It is a chained gate. In the book of 2 Timothy, we see that the Apostle Paul is lonely. Everyone has deserted him.…
Jesus in 1 Timothy
Throughout the Bible, the people of God are often referred to as “sheep.” - Isaiah 53:6 – “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.” - Matthew 9:36 – “When…
Passover Seder
The shadows gather. Day comes to an end. Candles are lit. Passover begins. The first cup is passed. The blessing is said. “I will bring you out” – from Exodus is read. The sacrifice of a pure, spotless…
Jesus in 2 Thessalonians
Our background photo today follows the same theme as yesterday. Once again, our gateway leads to a National Park. And as is obvious, everyone cannot freely enter into the Park. A fee must be paid to enter. Neither…
Nails in the Dirt
I jabbed my hand with a nail this morning as I was out in the new garden plot clearing away weeds and rocks. It is a very strange thing to have your palm punctured with a nail ...…