He slept on a human skull for a pillow. Other skulls lined his longhouse to protect him from the bloodthirsty evil spirits whom he had taken heads to appease. He believed hunting heads gained him favor from the evil spirits for his wedding, for good crops, and for health. He looked to his village…
Lambs
This past week a dear friend’s daughter had a very difficult labor and delivery. During the long days and nights of labor, I prayed often for the mom. I kept thinking of the comforting verse: “He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother…
Tender Shepherd
For generations this comforting Psalm has been repeated. “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” Psalm 23:1-3 The Old Testament is full of shepherd imagery. Jacob on his deathbed gave this testimony about God’s shepherding care over him: “……
Freedom!
While studying for the children’s Bible class on Exodus, some crazy things struck me. How many times had I read these chapters and yet they always yield new treasures! Hope you find new treasures, today! . . . They had been miraculously delivered from one of the most powerful nations in the world yet only…
Staying in My Lane
As we were leaving a dear friend’s house a few days ago, she handed me a jar of her delicious homemade pickled beets and kindly offered, “I could teach you how to make these.” My brain raced. I wanted to spend time with her, and I didn’t want to appear lazy. But my body struggles…
Perseverance
When we were serving in Indonesia, we met a mini missionary! She was tiny physically, 4’7” tall, but huge in heart. Not only was she very small, she was severely crippled by polio since childhood. What was a crippled, single woman doing in a remote, steeply mountainous stone age village? Against all odds, she…