As we continue shifting our gazes, almost imperceptibly, to see the different facets of the word ‘holy’ – admiring it like a crown jewel, noticing how it shines a little differently from each perspective – we land, today, on a different way to think of ‘holy’. We’ve arrived at the use of ‘holy’ that EnglishContinue reading "Holy is… Sacred"
Holy is… Sanctified
Having spent a week with our Jewish tour guide in the Holy Land, our group was growing quite fond of him. We marveled not only at his vast understanding of Jewish history but his knowledge of New Testament Scripture. We wondered amongst ourselves why he wasn’t a Jesus follower with all he knew. So weContinue reading "Holy is… Sanctified"
Holy is… Set Apart
Never have I been so happy to look at my yearlong outline and see that I had already designated an entire series on this idea of holiness as being set apart – because the research for all of this is so rich. There’s way too much to pack into one post. It’s an incredible thingContinue reading "Holy is… Set Apart"
Holy is… Pure
Few things in life can be deemed pure. Maybe we think of purebred animals whose bloodlines have never mingled with any other breed. Or, perhaps, we think of a research lab or an operating room where much effort is placed in keeping everything sterile and uncontaminated. And, of course, we hope for drinking water thatContinue reading "Holy is… Pure"
Holy is… God
The more I’ve researched the word ‘holy’ in the Bible, the more it has weighed on my soul. The more I’ve dug into what wise, learned believers have to say about ‘holy’, the less I feel I have to say – because there is not one of us, no not one, who truly grasps whatContinue reading "Holy is… God"
Human and Holy
Transitions hold complexities that we often fail to have words for. All at the same time we might hold anxiety and excitement, grief and gratitude, or dread and delight – together. This is a mighty truth that has taken me a better part of fifty years to grasp. And I believe that as I movedContinue reading "Human and Holy"
Embraced by Love: Power and Pursuit
With the memories of Christmas Day still fresh in our minds, we carry with us into the coming days and new year much emotion, a touch of exhaustion, and a most valuable truth – God loves us! For all the prophecies given by God about the Messiah’s coming, Jesus fulfills each and every one ofContinue reading "Embraced by Love: Power and Pursuit"
Embraced by Love: Pardons and Praise
As I hold my new granddaughter, I find myself regularly speaking my love over her. Out loud I tell her, “You are so loved.” When she looks contentedly up at me, I kiss her forehead and say to her, “I love you.” When she hollers hungrily, I speak the words, “I love you.” When herContinue reading "Embraced by Love: Pardons and Praise"
Embraced by Love: Pronouncements and Perceptions
Humble. Awake. Watchful. Vigilant. Faithful. Five words that describe the shepherds who were living in a field not far from where Jesus was born (Luke 2:8). To be honest, I never really gave the shepherds a whole lot of thought as I would read and reread the Christmas story. Mostly because they’ve always been thereContinue reading "Embraced by Love: Pronouncements and Perceptions "
Embraced by Love: Promises and Peace
Nothing could have prepared my husband and me for the love we feel for our brand new granddaughter – even though plenty of our friends tried to make us ready for it. But the moment we saw her, our hearts beat differently. I remember feeling this way when our sons were born. I marveled atContinue reading "Embraced by Love: Promises and Peace"