When Evil Exists

In 2 Kings we read that there can be no peace when evil exists. Read 2 Kings 9:18-22. This passage follows a verse with the watchman noting that Jehu’s mob was approaching. The horseman asked “Do you come in peace” numerous times. Jehu continued to respond, “What do you have to do with peace? Fall … Continue reading When Evil Exists →

Falling on Your Knees

Today was the big Cross Country Invitational. The event included eighteen high school teams. I am always excited when the events are nearby so I can attend and watch my daughter run. I ran back and forth taking photos. This is something Cross Country parents can appreciate. When I stood at the finish line, I … Continue reading Falling on Your Knees →

Full to Brim

I love reading 2 Kings 4, with the stories of Elisha and the poor woman, as well as the rich woman who makes a room for Elisha the prophet to come and stay. The story of the poor woman with two children reminds me of my own personal story. The woman has lost her husband … Continue reading Full to Brim →

Deadly Stew

When Elisha gathered around with the sons of the prophets, there was a famine. Barrenness, sickness, affliction and famine were seen as judgment from God for sin. As we read again and again, the curse of sin is judgment and death. These people were in search for food. When they went around to gather something … Continue reading Deadly Stew →

All Is Well

All is well. Shalom. That is what we read in 2 Kings 4 twice—both times from the Shunammite’s mouth. The prophet Elisha passed by her home often and the Shunammite wanted to make a room for him. What an awesome gesture to make a room for the man of God. If only we each made … Continue reading All Is Well →

Something Outta Nothing

[Elisha and the Widow’s Oil - 2 Kings 4:1-7] Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” And Elisha said … Continue reading Something Outta Nothing →

Woman of Samaria aka Woman at the Well Lesson Outline

Reading John 4:4-42 Beyond the Text: Samaritans Samaria was destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. but was resettled by pagan people to replace the Israelites. “Each national group made its own gods in the several towns where they settled… They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the … Continue reading Woman of Samaria aka Woman at the Well Lesson Outline →

Keeping the Father Waiting

We often keep our Father waiting. We don’t spend time with Him. We go through our entire day and don’t even speak to Him or even think of Him. Sometimes we walk away. And as the father in the story of the Prodigal Son, our Father waits. He’s always reaching out, always wanting us to … Continue reading Keeping the Father Waiting →

God Says There’s Plenty

With our human eyes, we see what is there and we consider that to be our resources. When I look into my refrigerator and see a gallon of iced tea, I understand that is all I have. At the same time, I know I have the money to get more tea so it does not … Continue reading God Says There’s Plenty →

I Expected

We all can think back to a time when we expected that something would go differently. Even things we have prayed for did not turn out the way that we had imagined in our minds. When I was a teenager, one of the hardest periods of my life was when the healing I expected for … Continue reading I Expected →