I thought it would be helpful if I shared my story. For those of you coming to the blog a bit later on, yes, I shared four posts in this category before going back to write an introduction. That is a prime example of part of my story: I have ADHD, and I’m making this … Continue reading Pieces of Me
Blog
The Bible vs Sunday School
The church as a cultural entity has been under fire a lot in recent decades. We have an opportunity to use this as a refining fire. Culture shifts, changes. Sometimes this is objectively good: abolishing slavery, developing social justice, and broadening civil rights. Sometimes it’s subjectively good: changing fashion and propriety. Sometimes it’s completely neutral: … Continue reading The Bible vs Sunday School
Pieces of the Mosaic
Welcome to my home. We make the most of what we have, here. Old items get repurposed; yard sales and thrift stores a regular habit. Our home is more...eclectic comfortable than it is stylish, but we like it. I didn’t always. I’ll be honest. I used to long for a well designed home with coordinated … Continue reading Pieces of the Mosaic
Daniel 1-3
There isn't a whole lot to say about these chapters that hasn't been said. I do feel that I have to comment on the diet Daniel and the others insist on following. I don't think it's a statement in favor of vegetarianism or anything like that. I believe it's a matter of faith. They refused … Continue reading Daniel 1-3
Joel
I'll be honest. Joel is one of those books that I'm not entirely sure what to do with. It's a prophecy a lot like every other prophecy we have on record. There's just one thing that stands out: the promise of the Holy Spirit. Eventually, Joel promises, the Spirit will be poured out on everyone. … Continue reading Joel
Inadvertent Hiatus
I had no intention of taking a break from this blog between the Christmas season and the end of Easter. However, apparently it was necessary. I'm not entirely sure how I managed to keep it up during Christmas, to be honest, but I did. Once we were through that season, however, I found myself utterly … Continue reading Inadvertent Hiatus
Esther 6-10
I love the story of Esther. It's very cinematic. It is, quite simply, a good story. The king is a bit of a cliche. His reactions are so extreme to everything. He either completely distances himself from any decision, simply ordering his advisors to do as they please, or he's quite dramatic. Haman gets truly … Continue reading Esther 6-10
Esther 1-5
A couple things stood out to me reading through the first half of Esther. The first is that Mordecai is not the comforting, faithful father figure I used to think he was. Yes, he took in Esther and raised her as his own daughter when her parents died. That speaks highly of his character. He … Continue reading Esther 1-5
Nehemiah 12-13
So that statement that Nehemiah made earlier in the book asking God to remember how he did such a good thing is starting to make more sense. He makes a similar statement again, and it doesn't read so much like boasting when it is once again surrounded by people making a mess of things and … Continue reading Nehemiah 12-13
Nehemiah 10-11
If the word curse was explicitly used in reference to the covenant before this, I glossed right over it. I know the language of the covenant is very clearly if...then from the very beginning. God makes the consequences of breaking the covenant extremely clear. It simply isn't possible that anyone ever entered the covenant without … Continue reading Nehemiah 10-11
Nehemiah 7-9
The joy of the Lord is my strength. I love this verse. A group of traumatized people have returned to their ruined city. They've just listened to someone read out the law of God, a law they have not been following. They are devastated. Probably really scared. More than a little worried. And Ezra tells … Continue reading Nehemiah 7-9
Nehemiah 4-6
There's something about Nehemiah that sets it apart from the other books. I'm not entirely sure what it is, but it's something about the style, the voice of Nehemiah. It's written in first person. Ecclesiastes is written in first person, a few chapters in other books, but mostly it's just the Psalms. And Nehemiah. That … Continue reading Nehemiah 4-6
Nehemiah 1-3
Now, I'm not entirely clear on why the wall wasn't rebuilt after the temple. Did they just not have explicit permission to rebuild anything more of the city than the wall and they were too afraid to do so? It would make sense. They were surrounded by some pretty nasty people. I only wonder because … Continue reading Nehemiah 1-3
Pieces of the Mosaic 