Phoebe: Bright and Radiant
Paul describes Phoebe as a sister and a servant. Her name means bright and radiant. Phoebe is mentioned only once in the Bible, in Paul’s letter to the Romans. In the close of that letter, Paul writes: I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you […]
What “Brand” Are Your Shoes?
In Ephesians 6:15, we are told to “have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” The words shod, and preparation give such deep meaning to this piece of a believer’s armor. Shod means to “bind on.” When a horse is shod, a shoe is custom-fitted and nailed securely into the hooves. […]
The Matter of Stature
While a part of the definition of “stature” refers to the physical appearance, another aspect of the word is described as “importance or reputation gained by ability or achievement.” We are all familiar with the story of Zacchaeus. We even have a Sunday school song about him. He was a “wee little man” who climbed […]
Bearing of Fruit
As I was working outside and pulling weeds around my flowers that were coming up this spring, I noticed the similarity between the weeds and the flowers. Because of my years of gardening, I realize, at a glance, what needs to be pulled and cast aside and what needs to be nurtured to bloom. Inexperienced […]
Waking Up with Purpose (and Two Alarm Clocks)
Are you one of those people who wake up energetic and focused? Perhaps, you are the other extreme (like me), despising the blaring rudeness of the morning alarms, hitting snooze multiple times, and desperate for intravenous coffee? Each new morning brings familiar routines—coffee brewing, tasks and texts waiting, someone needing something. It’s easy to slip […]