The Gospel of John tells of Mary Magdalene who, upon discovering the empty tomb, is panicked by the idea the Lord has been “taken away” (John 20:13). First she deals with Jesus’ death, and now the possibility someone has stolen his body, perhaps as some cheap stunt. Whatever hope she had placed in Jesus seems READ MORE
Authority
Babies, Borders, and the Father’s Watchful Gaze
For my whole life I have been pro-life. One-hundred percent. The idea that a baby would be ripped away from his or her mother is for me beyond the pale. As a follower of Jesus it is incomprehensible to me that such should be tolerated. Despite this strong belief of mine, it has been the READ MORE
Taking the Lead . . . .
In the margin of my Bible, right next to Psalm 45, I have written the following words: take the lead, at the front, for causes bigger than you—don’t be shy. To the right of these words I have placed a star, scrawled in pencil, and to the left of these words an arrow pointing toward READ MORE
“Out of the Heart”
Mark 7:1-23 serves as a powerful hinge between the captivating miracles embedded in Mark 6 and the outreach Jesus puts forward to the Gentiles in Mark 7:24 and following. With the miracles, one finds Jesus offering hope to people who are like sheep without shepherds. With the outreach, one finds Jesus embodying the missionary spirit READ MORE
Desperate for a Touch of Hope?
Jesus life and ministry foils everything that we know. Where there is darkness he brings light. Where there is death he brings life. Where there is fear he brings peace. Where there is contempt he brings compassion. We could go on and on. Mark 5:21-43 vividly continue this theme (click on the link and read READ MORE
God’s Girls Are . . . Warriors
Every girl and every woman has every reason to declare, “I am . . . a warrior.” And that is a magnificent declaration for our age. READ MORE