“Purge Me with Hyssop”
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT THE HYSSOP PLANT is mentioned twelve times in Scripture1—ten times in the Old Testament and twice in the New. The most familiar reference may be Psalm 51:7, where David writes,…
Gems from the Old Testament
The Shibboleth Dilemma
While living in South Dakota, I worked witha colleague who was originally from NewEngland. He was an odd-spoken sort offellow. When he needed to clean his hands, he went to thewarshroom. He later drove home…
God-Centered Worship
It has been correctly observed that genuine, God-centered worship is not limited to worship services. With their entire lives, God’s children worship the God of their creation and redemption. Our worship reveres God, and that…
“Mandrakes, Please”
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT The Bible mentions more than one hundred plants, herbs, and trees; everything from acacia and aloe to wheat and wormwood. Knowing the appearance and properties of these plants can help…
A Fixer-Upper
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Anyone familiar with the DIY Network has heard of Chip and Joanna Gaines. They are the married couple from Waco, Texas who find and “fix up” older houses for clients.…
Sacrificing Love on the Altar of Misunderstanding
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT (Please read Joshua chapter 22.) The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh fought alongside the rest of Israel to take possession of the land west of the Jordan.…
Prepared for the Journey
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Life is a journey. As Christian travelers, we’re simply passing through the Temporary on our way to the Eternal. During the trip, we often face dangers, difficult terrain, ups and…
Going Awl In
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT “Going all in” is a phrase commonly used by poker players. With a short stack of chips, the player bets them all in a somewhat desperate attempt to win the…
“Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?”
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT “And the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh, saying, “Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?” Is anything too hard for the Lord?’” (Genesis 18:13-14a)…
The Gospel of Jesus Christ Gives Real Meaning to Our Lives
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT (Please read Ecclesiastes 2.) Many find Ecclesiastes rather gloomy. They think it says that life and everything in it are meaningless. What it actually says is that life is meaningless…