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Altar Before Well
In Genesis 26, we encounter a profound lesson about priorities. The scripture tells us: “So Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well.“ (Genesis 26:25) This sequence reveals an extraordinary perspective. Isaac first built an altar and called on the Lord—establishing a place of worship. Then, he pitched his tent—setting up his temporary dwelling. Finally, his servants dug a well—addressing basic survival needs. In a land where he sought to establish himself, Isaac’s first priority wasn’t survival or shelter. It was communion with God. The contrast in Isaac’s choices speaks volumes. For God,…
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My Halftime Musings: Reflections from the Wilderness
The wilderness has a way of stripping away pretenses, leaving us raw and real with ourselves. As I pause to reflect at this juncture where halftime has passed, I find myself in such a wilderness – a space where certainties blur and questions multiply. Yet, it’s in this very wilderness that clarity often emerges, although in unexpected ways. This year has been particularly challenging, marked by moments where bearing and confidence seemed as elusive as a mirage in the desert. But in this season of questioning and wrestling, three profound lessons have emerged, each etched deeper by the very struggles that threatened to overwhelm. May these meditations from my wilderness…
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The Urgency of Now
Scripture: “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” (John 12:7-8) “Leave her alone,” Jesus says. And then these haunting words: “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” Six days before Passover. Six days before Jesus would begin His journey to the cross. Mary didn’t know the full significance of what she was doing, but somehow her heart knew – this was a moment that wouldn’t come again. You see, Mary’s act wasn’t just worship…
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The Price of Proximity
Explore the profound contrast between Mary's extravagant worship and Judas's calculated distance, revealing how our proximity to Jesus often mirrors the condition of our hearts.
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The Mark of an Encounter
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.” (John 12:1-2) My son asked me a question recently that stopped me in my tracks. “Dad,” he said, “how can you tell if someone has been to church and someone has been with Jesus?” It’s one of those questions that seems simple until you really think about it. Of course, church can be a powerful place of encountering Christ – after all, it’s His body gathering together. But the heart…
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Nothing Here Except..
Have you ever felt like a problem was too big to handle, so you just wanted it to go away? Perhaps it was a bill that seemed impossible to pay, a responsibility that felt too heavy to bear, or a need that appeared far beyond your resources to meet. In Matthew 14, the disciples faced exactly this kind of overwhelming situation. Picture this scene: over 5,000 men, plus women and children – likely well over 15,000 people in total – all gathered in an isolated place as the sun began to set. The crowd had been with Jesus all day, hanging on His every word, but now they were hungry.…
