Jesus told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray . . . (Luke 18:1 ESV) And so begins Sunday’s sermon. Which kind of slides over me because, really, who doesn’t already know that we ought always to pray. Monday evening my Bible teacher reframes Jesus’ encouragement. You have direct access…

(John 4:46-54 MSG) My Bible study leader closes . . . “Use Your Word to set us in motion.” Her words will end up shaping my week . . . and me. In the week before His arrest, Jesus preaches daily in the Temple. The religious elite listen for something, anything, to throw back at…

(Deuteronomy 8) The  Promised Land. Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops. Somewhere over the rainbow . . . Yet, as Moses and his people train their eyes on the opposite riverbank, he points to a real place. Not over the rainbow. But over the Jordan. That, he declares, is The…