“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” — Romans 11:33 God doesn’t say, “Into each life a little rain must fall,” and then aim a hose in earth’s general direction to see who gets...
“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” — Psalm 34:8 I love the day after Thanksgiving. There’s nothing like turkey sandwiches with cold stuffing and cranberry sauce spread right on soft, white bread. And day-old pumpkin pie? Yum. Yesterday, on...
“But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.†—Psalm 68:3 We’re often taught to be careful of the difference between joy and happiness. Happiness, it is said, is an emotion that depends upon what ‘happens.’ Joy by contrast, is supposed to be...
“On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine– the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will...
“Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The LORD declares.’…This is what each of you keeps on saying to his friend or relative: ‘What is the LORD’s answer?’ or ‘What has the LORD spoken?’ But you must not mention ‘the...
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.†— Hebrews 13:15-16 Ken and I worship in a...
“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.†— Psalm 50:23 Suppose a woman with arthritis in her hands embroidered a set of pillowcases for you as a “thank you†gift. The gift would mean more...
“I thank my God every time I remember you.†— Philippians 1:3 I will never forget Thanksgiving Day of 1963. I was 14 years old, living on a farm in Maryland, and Mr. Cauthorne, the owner of the big estate across the river, invited me to go on a fox...
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice…†— Isaiah 42:3 God bends us but never breaks us. This means that if I love God, suffering does not ultimately matter. Christ in me is what...
“Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter–when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” — Isaiah 58:7 Not long ago I was back in Baltimore and spent time...