The beginning of Hebrews, chapter 9, describes the first covenant God made with Israel at Sinai, including regulations for worship, the role of the high priests, and rituals of sacrifice. The...

In The Message, Eugene Peterson translates verse two of today’s reading this way: “It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone....

While the book of the Bible is named “Ruth,” the main character in these verses is Naomi, Ruth’s first mother-in-law. Ruth gives birth to Obed, but the community names him and...

Each New Year’s Eve, many people discuss and plan their resolutions. I’ve heard of a twist on this activity, where friends or family gather and each person present writes down a...

Among the Amish, one of the most egregious sins is that of “speaking for God.” We do it so easily, don’t we? In an effort to perpetuate our “rightness” and the...

On the bookshelves in my room are volumes that I try to read at least once a year. The paperbacks are worn and falling apart. The bound copies are often the...

Among Native bead-artists, the best and most enduring work comes from those who sew only one bead at a time, securing it into its place and then linking it to those...

Hallelujah is an invitation, an open-ended shared interactive expression for all who hear it to immediately participate. It is an “us” word. The writer abandons the “I” of personal expression to...

We are preparing to move. For my part, there are boxes of books in several languages, each one feeling like an old friend. I have not seen some in many years,...

At a very young age, my mother was abandoned in an empty house by those who abused her. Her early life was a frightening journey toward safety. As an adult, she...