Real royalty: Spectacle and grace in Esther
Esther’s story paints a picture of two types of reigning. One type turns on spectacle. The other flows from grace. “Which is real royalty?” Esther’s life asks.
Reign of terror: Narcissism in Esther
Two people in power. One, highly offended. The other, easily exploited. Both, given over to evil. As in Esther, that can erupt into a reign of terror.
Abusers like Ahab & Jezebel use one another
They’re eerily alike: Ahab and Jezebel, who ruled in Elijah’s day. Men and women church leaders, who use one another to abuse everyone else.
God who teaches us his ways
Always, God answers the heartcry, “Teach me your ways, so I may know you!” Sometimes, he uses the “God who …” phrases in his Word as he guides us to himself.
Tabor: The day you overcome
At Mount Tabor, God told Deborah and Barak, “This is the day I will give you victory over your oppressors.” The same Lord gives us strength to overcome, too!
Feast of Joy, in times when life is hard
Life was hard when God introduced me to Sukkot, the Feast of Joy – and invited me into the joy that is at once bedrock and a bubbling spring.
Love story? Fairy-tale life? The abuse in Esther
Have we seen Queen Esther as a loved wife, with a fairy-tale life? If so, we’ve missed the abuse in her story and a key to reigning in life.
Spirit, power, blessing and an undivided heart
Elijah was human, like us. The spirit, power, blessing in his life hinged on God who gave them, and the undivided heart that welcomed them.
Fear and love: When your world has changed
God taught them not to be driven by panic. He showed them the way of love. When our world has changed in frightening ways, their story can help us too.
A spirit like Caleb’s – fully following God
At a crucial moment in my life, Henry Blackaby and Caleb of old encouraged me: Regardless which way anyone else is rowing, you be filled with following God.