Last week, we learned of Tobit, who became blind from bird droppings. After remembering he had saved about 30 years’ worth of wages, he sends his son, Tobias, to retrieve his wealth. So Tobias readies himself for the journey. The Introduction to Some New Characters Today, some new characters will come our way. Gabael: […]
Genesis 50:15-21: God Working Through All for the Good
July 17, 2017 by
How hard to forgive someone who hurts you! A co-worker takes credit for your work, and now you are the lazy one. A bully intimidates you, for not all bullies die away after grade school. Your sister talks your aging mother into giving her a family heirloom, which she promised to you a decade before. […]
The Apocrypha, Lesson 8: Tobit, Pt. 1
July 17, 2017 by
Introduction Though Tobit includes historical reality in its background setting, it is not history but a religious novel to teach the faithful. Like Judith, this book contains information known not to be true, drawing the hearer to focus on the religious content, not the historical facts. For example, the sequence of Assyrian kings is incomplete […]
Church History, Lesson 1: The New Covenant Begins
July 5, 2017 by
This is a new study series, which begins with Jesus establishing the New Covenant and finishing (we hope) with the Church recognizing and listing the texts of both the Old- and New-Testament Scriptures in 397 AD. Jesus Establishes What Is to Take Place in His Church The New Covenant Ready to go to the cross, […]
The Comfort in our Grief
July 2, 2017 by
This is our pastor’s article for the July-August edition of our congregational newsletter. The Apostle Paul directs us not to be unaware about those who left this life trusting in God. Why? “So you will not grieve like others, as those without hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). So we are reminded, once more, of this […]
Luke 1:39-45: Mary Visits Elizabeth
July 2, 2017 by
The life-changing announcement from the angel Gabriel stuns Mary, as she staggers in shock. Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you. Don’t be afraid, Mary, for God honors you. Listen, you will conceive and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. For he will be mighty and will be called the […]
Luke 15:1-10: Lost and Found
June 25, 2017 by
A lost lamb and coin come to us in story form. So, we lean forward to attend to our Savior’s words. Little do we grasp how we are the ones getting lost. For we think He is teaching us what to do. Don’t we take in these parables as lessons in loveliness? For if we […]
Malachi 3:6-10
June 18, 2017 by
A tale from India records the chronicle of a frightened mouse. So terrified is he of cats, he is too afraid to venture out. So, a wizard agrees to convert the tiny creature into a cat. Now graceful and stealthy, with his fears removed, he is courageous—until he finds a wild dog chasing after him. […]
The Apocrypha, Lesson 7: Judith, Pt. 2
June 18, 2017 by
Recap Last week, we learned Judith “put sandals on her feet, and put on her anklets, bracelets, rings, earrings, and all her other ornaments, and made herself very beautiful, to entice the eyes of all men who might see her.” So, Judith and a servant make their way to the Assyrian camp. Judith Goes […]
Isaiah 6:1-7: Holy, Holy, Holy
June 11, 2017 by
To gaze on the glory of God in all His grandeur! In our wildest imaginings, this vision hypnotizes our senses and seizes our hearts. Such foolishness! For in our fallen state, we will be devastated. Every fiber of our being will convulse in terror, with our tongues left stammering. The glimpse will burn us in […]
