When we pause to notice creation all around, us we become aware of provisions that demonstrate God’s love. Along the coast of Lake Superior, a bluebell flower emerges among the rocks. Along a path a trillium with petals sways in the breeze. The flowers appear on the earth, the time…
The rhythm that God has set in place give me a sense of stability and peace. He created days, nights, weeks and months. And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and…
This post was originally posted in 2017. As women in the United States we can give thanks for the progress that has been made in women’s rights and opportunities. My maternal grandmother and paternal great-grandmothers immigrated to Michigan from Finland. With great effort they raised families while managing subsistence farms.…
In a Bible study, we have been discussing the gospel of Matthew. Jesus frequently mentions the kingdom of God throughout his teaching. Every person that repents of sin and becomes a follower of Jesus enters the kingdom of God. During Jesus’ time on earth there were divisive groups, social and…
This past week my Bible study group discussed chapter 3 of the book of James. Verse 8 states, but no human being can tame the tongue. We see that in our world today. Much is being spoken on social media, news media and among friends and relatives. We are divided over…
The disciples were fishermen and skillful at managing a boat on the Sea of Galilee, but when a sudden storm came up, they were frightened. They didn’t know what to do. When they woke Jesus, who was asleep in the boat, they had no idea how he was going to…
Have you heard the phrase, “the greater good”? It refers to choices for the good of society, the good of a nation, outweighing individual rights. A high priest once spoke about the greater good for Israel. Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up.…
Jesus was a teacher and storyteller. The book of Matthew records numerous stories. While speaking to a crowd he told the parable of the sower who encountered different types of soil. (Matthew 13) Speaking to his disciples he told the story of the lost sheep (Matthew 18). There are many…
One of the Christmas cards I received had a drawing of Mary and Elizabeth. According to the book of Luke, Elizabeth was the first to learn of Mary’s pregnancy after the angel had appeared to Mary. She believed God’s plan. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby…
Throughout the past year my husband and I have been reading through the Bible. Today our reading was from 1 Chronicles and Isaiah. The books we have read clearly illustrate human nature and the problem of sin in the lives of people who have gone before us. After God chose…