Creative Space for Wanderers
Read: With Ether’s role now established, the stories begin to unfold: plots, deception, risks and faith. To set the stage, we’re given a sound-bite story about Mordecai overhearing a plot to assassinate King Xerxes. We actually learn a lot in just three verses, verse 22 in particular: But Mordecai found out about the plot and …
Continue reading “Esther: Part 2a – Plots, Deception, Risks and Faith”
Read: , and We left the story at the point where it appears the opposition has won, the work in Jerusalem came to a halt. Does that read like an ancient headline or a text you just received? Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in …
Read: Finally, the remnant are able to return from exile, but this is just the beginning. Those who have occupied the land are not interested in seeing the Israelites succeed. Sound like a familiar scenario? the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to …
Continue reading “Ezra: Return from Exile, Rebuilding Begins and Opposition Mounts”
Last night I was having coffee with a friend as we explored Part III, Chapter 1 of Multiply, Disciples Making Disciples. The chapter is titled: Why Study the Bible? On the surface, those of us who were raised in the church don’t even consider the question, of course we study the Bible, don’t we? Or …
Read: How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? This isn’t the verse you would pick for engraving on a plaque for the kitchen wall, but I’ll go out on a limb and say it’s one that you read …
Read: Jonah is a short story that has captured the imaginations of countless people of all ages, but especially children in Sunday Schools and Vacation Bible Schools around the globe. It’s ironic that children enjoy the story while adults, if they would answer honestly, will most likely say it’s a fictional or allegorical work based …
Read: Just 21 verses long, the prophecy of Obadiah is short and sweet. The descendants of Esau, the Edomites, are singled out by Obadiah for their pride. In a recent video, Francis Chan, talking with a group of staff at Facebook, concluded that of all the sins we see, perhaps pride is the worst because …
Read: Daniel is given an incredible vision that covers many events that will unfold, kings that rise and fall, powerful people that come and go. The conclusion is stated a number of times, “but only for a time…for it will still come at the appointed time.” In the end, after it’s all said and done, …
Read: Daniel’s visions are detailed and somewhat disturbing. His prayer and incredible devotion give us an example to admire and challenge us to a higher level. : Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat Another vivid vision that captured Daniel’s thoughts, I can imagine he woke up sweating! …suddenly a goat with a prominent horn …
Continue reading “Another Vision from Daniel and His Prayer”
Read: Two chapters that provide opposing viewpoints from kings that ruled Babylonia: Nebuchadnezzar (ch. 4) and his son (ch. 5). Their response to Daniel’s interpretations is significant: one humbled himself and enjoyed his position, the other chose not to show reverence to God and died. While the lesson is certainly about recognizing God is the …