Category: Bible Study

Nothing to Be Ashamed Of

When did you last feel guilty? What did you do, and what did you do with your guilt: confess it and make it right? Hide it and walk away? What are you ashamed of? It could be related to the same situation if your guilt went unresolved. But shame is sneaky. You likely feel ashamed … Continue reading Nothing to Be Ashamed Of

Fear & Peace

For two long days last week as my pastor-husband prepared a sermon, I overheard his end of several zoom interviews asking people two questions: What causes you fear? and How have you encountered Jesus at your point of fear? I couldn’t hear their answers, so I pondered my own responses to questions I’d been asking … Continue reading Fear & Peace

Unexpected

How are you holding up during the pandemic? I don't typically experience anxiety, but I have during the five weeks the San Francisco Bay Area of California has been under shelter-in-place (SIP). Some days, or at least some hours, I'm fine, and others not so much. I do typically seek out gratitude, and this discipline … Continue reading Unexpected

If Only…

Pre-pandemic pause, we said: If only...we weren’t so busy. If only...we had more time. If only...the family could do more together. During this pandemic pause, we say: If only...this had never happened. If only...I had my own space. If only...we could go back to normal. [Please note: This pandemic hasn't thrust us into the same … Continue reading If Only…

Easter Sunday 2020

"Jesus isn't dead anymore!" [the angel] said. "He's alive again!" And [the women's] hearts leapt. And then the angel laughed with such gladness... Jesus Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Hallelujah! For those who want a fresh take on Luke's familiar resurrection account, I offer some questions to guide you. Connect Reflect on a … Continue reading Easter Sunday 2020

Lent 2020: Maundy Thursday

“My body is like this bread. It will break.” Jesus told them. “This cup of wine is like my blood. It will pour out.” “But this is how God will rescue the whole world…. So whenever you eat and drink, remember,” Jesus said, “I’ve rescued you!” My husband just popped dinner in the oven (a … Continue reading Lent 2020: Maundy Thursday

Lent 2020: I Pray…

“Did you know that God is always listening to you? Did you know that God can hear the quietest whisper deep inside your heart, even before you’ve started to say it? Because God knows exactly what you need even before you ask him…. So when you pray, pray in your normal voice, just like when … Continue reading Lent 2020: I Pray…

Lent 2020: We Need Him a Lot

...the people God uses don’t have to know a lot of things, or have a lot of things--they just have to need him a lot. Jesus called out to them, “Let’s go!” My creative collaborator and I created a day-by-day prayer card to guide our church and unify our prayers during Lent. Of course we … Continue reading Lent 2020: We Need Him a Lot

Lent 2020: Walking Like The Wise Men

The three Wise Men...rode their camels across endless desserts, up steep, steep mountains, down into deep, deep valleys, through raging rivers, over grassy plains, night and day, and day and night, for hours that turned into days, that turned into weeks, that turned into months and months, until, at last, they reached...Jerusalem. During our church’s … Continue reading Lent 2020: Walking Like The Wise Men

Lent 2020: Light in the Darkness

Mary and Joseph named him Jesus, “Emmanuel” -- which means “God has come to live with us.” Because, of course, he had. This baby would be...a Light to light up the whole world. Chasing away darkness. Helping people to see. And the darker the night got, the brighter the star would shine. Our county implemented … Continue reading Lent 2020: Light in the Darkness