Meat for the Hungry

www.moodyradio.org Anne Graham Lotz , called “the best preacher in the family” by her father, Billy Graham, is one of my favorite Bible teachers. Years ago, I had the privilege of hearing her speak at the Ohio Christian Education Association Conference (OCEA) in Akron, Ohio. Since then, I have admired this godly woman, and if ever there was a teacher after whom I would want to pattern a ministry, it would be her. Recently Anne was interviewed on Moody Radio’s Equipped with Chris Brooks.  https://www.moodyradio.org/programs/equipped-with-chris-brooks/2019/03/03.26.2019-wounded-by-gods-people/ In her interview about her newest book, WOUNDED by God’s People , Anne said, “ Sometimes our means of revenge is to withhold forgiveness .” www.moodyradio.org www.annegrahamlotz.org I found Anne’s words unsettling, and so profound I had to write them down. Around the same time as this interview, our pastor was preaching about forgiveness and unforgiveness . While I was...

There are many things in scripture I don’t understand, and so, I skim over them, or I set them aside until I have a reason to dig. Today is a day for digging. I love  Moody Radio  – WCRF – 103.3 or 90.5 on the FM dial. In the past few weeks, Pastor Colin Smith of Unlocking the Bible has been reading from his new book, Heaven, So Near – So Far . It’s the story of Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus. These readings intrigued me because in January I thought quite a bit about Judas. Why? I was preparing the communion service for our Women in Ministry (WIM) Retreat, based on Luke 7:36-50. Near the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, at the home of Simon, the Pharisee, a woman, plagued by many sins, poured a fragrant and very expensive oil,  Spikenard , on the feet of Jesus. In my studies, I found  John’s gospel  confirms four times that Judas was the son of Simon. [1] Some have suggested the Pharisee in Luke was Simon Iscariot. Still, Scripture mentio...

At sundown on March 20, 2019, the Jews began their celebration of Purim  and it runs through sundown on March 21, 2019. Purim is a joyous and raucous festival celebrating their victory over the wicked Amalekite, Haman, as told in the Bible’s book of Esther. During Purim, the scroll of Esther, or “Megillat Esther” is read and sometimes acted out. Gifts are given to the poor, and they munch triangular-shaped cookies called hamantaschen, named for the villainous Haman. [1] However, many do not believe Esther recounts true events and they, in essence, reduce it to fairytale status. [2] Yet, we know it’s TRUE! “Today, Purim is celebrated as a noisy and fun festival. Some view it as a kind of Jewish April Fool’s Day …” [3] As Christians who believe every word of our Bible is infallible and God-breathed, we have not so jokingly dubbed our April Fool’s Day , the Atheist’s Holiday , based on Psalm 53:1:   “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” But, ...

Have you ever experienced a threatening situation where you felt you had only two options of response – either stand your ground and fight or turn and run away? According to research, this is an innate physiological response called fight or flight , and the threat can be either physical or mental/emotional. Although it’s hard to admit, I’m dealing with the emotional kind. This wasn’t a personal assault, but it felt like it. It involved an activity I am passionate about and people I believe I need to protect. This morning, I am writing in real-time, and as I travel through this experience, I’d like you to walk with me. In the heat of the moment, I wanted to fight, and I might have if the person had been talking directly to me. However, they were speaking to an audience of whom I was one. Like a blast of icy air, their words struck me. The jolt made me furious and after my initial thought of, “How dare you,” everything in me said, “Run!” I almost got up and walked out, tho...

Last Thursday, when our roads were snow-covered and a bit treacherous, I ventured out to the hairdressers. A New Year and time for a new me, right? It had been over two years since I sat in a beautician’s chair and conversed while she did my hair. I can’t say that I missed those types of superficial conversations. However, Thursday’s discussion was different. We talked about retirement, a so-called life of leisure, and social security. When I mentioned to her that she should not just depend on the money she will receive from social security, she said she would not rely on it because Social Security will probably be bankrupt by the time she is ready to retire. I’ve heard people saying this for years, and maybe it’s a valid concern. Still, what shocked me was the thought that jetted through my mind, “We probably wouldn’t have to worry about SS bankruptcy if the 60 million plus babies aborted since Roe v. Wade in 1973 were working, tax-paying citizens.” Did I express my sentiments?...

     “In the beginning was the Word , and the Word was with God , and the Word was God . ” [1]      The Word , as a double-edged sword, [2] pierced eternity, “Let there be light...” [3]      Thus began the infinite perfection of the eternal, triune God’s d e s i g n . Father, Son, and Holy Spirit had planned and would now bring it to pass. Six days creating something out of nothing, one day of rest, and then the unthinkable. God’s humans chose to disobey His command. Sin and death entered, [4] and the whole of creation groaned. [5] A cloud of darkness enveloped the people of earth like a shroud. [6] Sin had doomed man to death. Would they eventually cease to exist? Was there a way for man to be saved?      God was not surprised by man’s sin. He is all-knowing. His p l a n had many facets, and in time, all would be revealed.      Years passed. God spoke to one ma...