We often have our own ideas of how God should show up in our lives, but God chooses the boundaries of our relationship. The Corinthian church has both Greek and Jewish...

Scholars suggest that Psalm 15 is an “entrance liturgy,” a psalm offered in preparation for the faithful to enter the house of God. The question posed in the psalm is both...

God begins the case against the Israelites by reminding them of God’s saving acts of service, mercy, and love toward them. It is as though God is asking the beloved people,...

In the sixth chapter of Micah, God is taking the people to court. Their behavior has been unwarranted and offensive, and God wants to make a plea against them. So God...

Freedom to Be in Community The sun was shining high over Jerusalem. The poor guy sitting on the roof just wanted some relief from the heat. So he moved his chair...

Freedom to Praise About ten years ago I heard “Revelation Song” by Jeannie Lee Riddle for the first time. Although it was beautiful, I thought the lyrics didn’t make sense; they...

Freedom to Receive Jesus has begun his ministry, but he’s not going to do it alone; he clearly plans to involve others in this venture. This makes sense on a number...

Freedom from Death John the Baptist has been arrested, which appears to set two things in motion. First, upon learning of John’s arrest, Jesus relocates to Galilee. This move signals a...

Freedom from Bondage Can You Ever Forgive Me? is a true story about celebrity biographer Lee Israel. After enjoying success writing biographies of people like Katherine Hepburn and Estée Lauder, Israel...

Freedom from Fear A quote that used to hang in my office read, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” For many years that quote held meaning for me. I...