Standing idly by
Jacob’s lack of response is shocking. He has no answer, no solution to the violence
Jacob’s lack of response is shocking. He has no answer, no solution to the violence
I have wondered why institutions that began with the purest of motives often end up creating havoc, chaos, and evil.
The lollapalooza grand-daddy of all the off-the-wall Bible stories.
My 4-year-old nephew Simon asked, “Does God give hugs?” Yes, his mother said. Simon asked, “Do we have to wait in line?” His mother assured him that we don’t, that God can hug us all at the same time. Then Simon asked, “How big are God’s arms?”
It could be that we, too, have sought comfort from a counselor, from a doctor, or from a friend. It could be that we have resorted to books for help, to pills for peace, or even to busy schedules to forget our pain. In the end, we are hurting and we are unhealthy, still woefully in need of a touch.
I gave the ball a good, hard kick. It took flight and landed in a neighbor’s garden. I ran the bases and was headed for home when I got nervous—not about the ball’s landing in the neighbor’s garden, but about getting hit by the ball and getting called “out” before I reached home.
As the sunset fades and night deepens, streetlights, shop lights, and headlights shine, and I am reminded that it is in the darkness that the light shines brightest
Your path may be painful, your days may be difficult, your
situation may be serious. As Christians, even through our trials
and tears, we are called to look through the eyes of faith and,
along with the Shunammite woman, say, “It is well.”
There is a certain woman that I would like to talk to. Her story is told in 2 Kings 4:8-37, and the lessons of her story should be inscribed in our hearts.