John Milton was a Christian and poet in the 1600’s. By age 44, he went blind. Milton wondered if he could continue serving God without eyesight. Sometimes, he simply felt useless. Milton’s anxiety and grief spill out in his 19th sonnet: “When I consider how my light is spent.” The sonnet ends with the Lord’s…
Tag: Christianity
Bah! Humbug!
It’s Christmastime again. Besides music, colored lights, trees sprouting indoors, and avalanching sweets, there’s another cue to the season: snide comments about commercialism. Commercialism is a real problem. I don’t deny that. Humanity’s loyalty has long been divided between God and mammon (Matt. 6:24). As they say, nothing is sacred. Consumption and material…
The AMEN
“The Messiah” is a piece of music by George Frideric Handel for chorus and orchestra. It is traditionally performed during the Christmas season. The words all come from scripture. Charles Jennens selected the verses and arranged their order. Beginning with old testament passages, the lyrics tell the story of Christ: from prophecies to His passion,…
Waiting for Snow
Photo by Carrie McKamey “WHAT A GYP!!” With raised fist and gnarled face I accuse the skies. I have been waiting for snow, wishing for snow, praying, hoping, and fishing for snow. I have been daring snow, oh where-ing snow, and (for reverse psychology’s sake) not-give-a-care-ing snow. All this and not one single flake. But…
(In)Fidel Castro
Since his death last week, there has been no shortage of fawning news articles about Fidel Castro. (And no, these weren’t Cuban news articles. They were American). I had the distinct displeasure of reading two of them recently. One opened by calling Castro a fiery apostle of revolution. The other went on and on…
A Cut Above the Rest
“This is My covenant, which you are to keep, between Me and you and your offspring after you: Every one of your males must be circumcised. You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskin to serve as a sign of the covenant between Me and you” (Gen. 17:10-11). Genesis 17 introduces circumcision. The flesh of…
Surrogate
Genesis 16 tells the story of Abram and Hagar, Sarai’s slave. In chapter 15, we saw God’s promise to Abram: “one who comes from your own body will be your heir” (Gen. 15:4). We don’t know how much time elapsed between the giving of the promise and the events of chapter 16. It simply opens…
The Comings and Goings of Wind
Fire, wind, and an earthquake happened because of God’s presence but God was not in them (1 Kings 19:11-12). Manifestations or experiential hallmarks of God’s presence are not God. Signs follow those who believe but signs are not God (Mark 16:17). Jesus healed many people but healing is not Jesus. Jesus is healing. Jesus raised…
Putting the “Ugh” in Ugly
Sketch by Patrick Murphy Yesterday, Americans elected Donald Trump as their next president. (Read my pre-election thoughts here). Today, the news and social media are blowing up with opinions about this election. (Silly me, I thought it would be over yesterday). Cyber-space is full of doomsday predictions, verbal attacks, defensiveness, cattiness, and righteous indignation in…
The Complete Jesus–Mallory Patrick
Today’s post is by my sister-in-law, Mallory Patrick! *** “Behold, I cast out demons, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected” (Luke 13:32) Many believers focus on Jesus’ pre-Cross ministry, which included visible, miraculous healings and miracles. But in this verse, Jesus says that His coming was…
The Voice of One 