Live As If
Judges 6–7 tells the story of Gideon. This guy was a wimp. He was in the smallest clan in the smallest Israelite tribe, which lived in defeat and fear of the enemy. Gideon was so fearful of being seen that he winnowed wheat (something people in the wind on a hilltop) in a winepress (dug low in the ground out of sight). But God was looking for someone to lead his people. He seemed particularly interested in finding a wimp to turn into a warrior. So he sent an angel to Gideon and said, “Greetings, mighty warrior!” Gideon probably looked…
Tragedy and Substance
People naturally try to find meaning in the outcome of tragic events. Because finding meaning eases the pain of the tragedy. Absence or loss of meaning makes the pain unbearable. So we naturally go through inner turmoil when tragedy strikes or when life is unjust. Sometimes God seems way too quiet when we call out to him. Sometimes he seems absent. What do you do when God seems not to hear? It may help to know that natural disasters often result from the earth’s natural functioning: Earthquakes are necessary adjustments in the shifting of tectonic plates. Hurricanes are necessary atmospheric…
Mama Goat and Billy Goat
Faith to trust God through hardship. Mama Goat and Billy Goat Billy Goat followed Mama Goat down the road. Mama Goat looked back. “Billy Goat, follow me, and we’ll go to a big field where the grass is tall and green! To get there we have to climb the hill in front of us.” Billy Goat looked up at the steep hill. A narrow path wound back and forth, sometimes disappearing behind boulders, and sometimes disappearing altogether in its precipitous ascent. “Do you really expect me to go up there?” “Yes, I do. Follow me, and watch where I…
