Esther:  Woman of Faith … For Such a Time  as This

Esther:  Woman of Faith … For Such a Time  as This

by | Jun 25, 2024 | Captivity; Jewish 70 year c., Cyrus’ permission to return to Jerusalem, Disobedience; Vashti’s d., Drunkenness, why Persians drank so much, Jews; history of j, Persian court life, Submission out of love and respect, Submission; absolute s., Vashti, Xerxes

The book of Esther tells an amazing story of a powerful, beautiful woman who rose to the position of Queen of Persia and helped avert the genocide of her people. Esther became queen to one of the strongest kings in Persian history without any of the advantages of...
Compare and Compete

Compare and Compete

by | Jun 11, 2024 | Comparison, Competition, unhealthy c., Freedom from competition, Humility; John the Baptist, John 3:22-30, John the Baptist; his disciples being protective, Leaving; people l. to support someone else, Refusing to compete or compare, Upgrading salvation

John 3:22-30 Possibly the reader can see that landing on Boardwalk would earn the owner $400, but a short stay on Mediterranean around the corner would only earn the owner $60.  This American board game is a competition to see who can get the most property and...
God is God

God is God

by | Jun 4, 2024 | Be-Attitude, College students; questions of c. s., Contradictions; living with c., Election, God’s sovereignty, Mystery; living with unanswered questions, Not knowing, Unanswered questions

“You have landed on the toughest question we have all wondered about” I told a college freshman.  “It has stumped people of all eras and centuries. I chewed on this question 45 years ago.”  When I was in seminary, all of us young theologs debated this hot...