I have been thinking a lot about "the hardening of Pharaoh's heart" in Exodus and how it relates to the Signs (or Plagues). It is easy to think of Pharaoh as God's puppet and that God's plan is to so callous Pharaoh's will that Pharaoh will play into God's trap. With this reading God is... Continue Reading →
Scripture: Exodus 7:1-13 The Lord said to Moses, “See, I’ve made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. 2 You will say everything that I command you, and your brother Aaron will tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites out of his land. 3 But I’ll make Pharaoh stubborn, and I’ll perform... Continue Reading →
Scripture: Exodus 4:21-31 21 And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put in your power, but I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the... Continue Reading →
Scripture: Exodus 3:13-22 13 But Moses said to God, “If I now come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they are going to ask me, ‘What’s this God’s name?’ What am I supposed to say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I Am Who I... Continue Reading →
Scripture: Exodus 1:8-22 8 Now a new king came to power in Egypt who didn’t know Joseph. 9 He said to his people, “The Israelite people are now larger in number and stronger than we are. 10 Come on, let’s be smart and deal with them. Otherwise, they will only grow in number. And if war breaks out,... Continue Reading →
This past week I've seen a great deal of hand-wringing over two Christian organizations who claim to see fresh movements from God and the criticism seems to come for precisely the same reason. Since last Wednesday morning Asbury University has been holding a continuous and student led worship service, which while praised in some quarters... Continue Reading →
Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19 After these events, God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” Abraham answered, “I’m here.” 2 God said, “Take your son, your only son whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him up as an entirely burned offering there on one of the mountains that I will show... Continue Reading →
Scripture: Genesis 15:1-21 1After these events, the Lord’s word came to Abram in a vision, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your protector. Your reward will be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what can you possibly give me, since I still have no children? The head of my household is Eliezer, a man... Continue Reading →
Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9 The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless... Continue Reading →
Reading through a songbook I stumbled on the now dated chorus "Change My Heart Oh God", this started me thinking about other songs that mention metaphors of hardhearted, or heart of stone and our need for change to be like God. Then I started down the Twitter rabbit hole where I saw any number of... Continue Reading →
Saints & Idiots 