Life is a delicate dance on the edge of a precipice. We meticulously plan our steps, meticulously calculate the odds, yet we inevitably flirt with risk. We build our lives like fortresses, brick by careful brick, yet a single storm can reveal unforeseen vulnerabilities. This isn’t a condemnation of our efforts, but a testament to…
One Tiny Word
This morning, the phrase “One tiny word makes all the difference,” sent my mind racing. As children, we were often told, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” But experience quickly taught us the fallacy of that saying. One poorly chosen word, a careless taunt or a thoughtless remark,…
They Took Offense
And they took offense at him. — Mark 6:3b This phrase from Mark’s Gospel encapsulates the tragic irony of Jesus’s ministry in Nazareth. The people most familiar with him, took offense because he was “the carpenter’s son” (Mark 6:3), and thus were blinded by their preconceived notions. They expected him to conform and to fit…
Healing
Mark 5:34 recounts Jesus’s words: “Daughter, your faith has made you well, go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” This verse reminds me of my upbringing in the South, where revivals and faith healers were common. While I witnessed remarkable “healings,” I also observed instances where the lack of healing was attributed to…
Day of Jubilee.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. – Luke 4:18a. Quoting Jesus, today’s verse echoes the prophetic words of Isaiah, declaring his mission. It speaks of a spiritual and social transformation, a liberation that transcends the physical and extends to the depths…