Jeremiah uses the metaphor of water to show that the people have turned away from God. Water symbolizes salvation, life, and blessings. The people are misguided not only by turning from...

Jeremiah is singled out for service before birth. This brings a serious conviction of the prophet’s heart. He knows he has been chosen and set apart for the immensely difficult task...

Jesus used parables to connect with his audience. By telling stories that taught his message, Jesus could make connections to the real experiences his listeners would have had. The parable Jesus...

Perhaps we should be grateful for the synagogue leader’s messy faith in Luke’s Gospel. So messy and trying is his response to Jesus’ healing on the sabbath that it’s not hard...

Our oldest daughter has found adulthood difficult. Traditional college was not a good fit, and she struggled to discern the right path for her life. Ever tenacious, she enrolled in an...

In Ann Patchett’s novel Bel Canto, a multicultural group of dignitaries is invited to hear a famous opera singer perform at a dinner party in a third-world country. While they are...

If “the best defense is a good offense,” then gratitude should be in ready supply. There’s no better way to confront adversity than to shine gratitude in its face. It’s the...

In the woods near our home, some wild lilies make an appearance each spring. They don’t send out engraved invitations, notify their fans by email or Facebook, or send a text...

It’s not hard to turn away from something we don’t deem essential for our lives. It’s hard to welcome this “unshakable essential” when we’re taking care of things just fine. After...

While a life with God welcomes free choice, once a commitment is made, some essentials cannot be refused, ignored, or misplaced. We must accept them as God’s gifts, whether welcomed or...