When my feet stood on the Promised Land in February 2000, I realized Israel is to the world what the heart is to the human body—the epicenter of life and breath. Perhaps it sounds overly dramatic, but when I exited our plane and stepped onto the pavement at Ben Gurion Airport, something inside me shifted. Though I was 6,000 miles …
Big God, Small World
Here’s my new world (at left), “quarantined” with Zekey in my bedroom. No, I don’t have Covid-19. I have a new disease that’s lasted far longer but isn’t life threatening: EDITS. There’s no vaccine. I’ve become pretty isolated and, frankly, a little obsessed with my circumstances. It’s been over four months of quarantine from family and friends. God provided a …
The God Who Wrestles
Our kids and grands got a new puppy, Frankie. He wrestles and nips and romps and is full of personality–a perfect fit for their active family. Hypothetically, if you went to pick out a puppy, and you could judge by a single visit which would be a Naughty Nelson or a Pillow Parker, which temperament would you choose? Naughty Nelson: …
3 Good Ways to Give Up
Let’s qualify what I mean by “give up.” Are we talking about the 5000-piece puzzle Great-Grandma Lucy gets out every Christmas? Or are we talking life and death? I’ve lived with chronic illness since 1997, and I’ve wondered several times if there’s an amiable way to just give up. But I’m too OCD to let things go undone, and I …
What Happened to the Un-Chosen—Esau & Others?
Roy got a Sports Illustrated magazine in the mail last month with the cover story, “Where are they now?” Inside, the feature article showcased lots of athletes from the late 1900’s in their current-day circumstance. Some, like Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner, were rich and famous (not necessarily a good thing) while others, like Super Bowl icon William “Refrigerator” Perry, were found at …
Real People, Real God – Isaac’s Twin Boys
Download the Study Notes Today we’re going to talk about a very REAL FAMILY—Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob. They were a mess. As always, we’ll see how our REAL GOD shows up in the midst of their mess. What are the REAL PEOPLE Doing? When today’s story begins, Isaac and Rebekah have been married for 20 years, and …