Ancient Egyptians believed that they gained entry into the afterlife only after Ma’at, the goddess of justice, weighed their heart. She placed it on a balance scale opposite virtue, represented by a feather. If the heart balanced the scales, the deceased would gain a wonderful afterlife. A heart laden with misdeeds would tip the scale, condemning the person to a horrible oblivion….
Biblical history
Turning Back Time: Four Days in the Story of Lazarus
If you could, would you turn back time to seize the opportunities you missed? Correct the mistakes you made? (oblique reference to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) Let’s turn back time to a seemingly insignificant but pivotal detail in Lazarus’s story….
The Hidden, Ultimate Takeaway from Esther
Some people say Esther’s story doesn’t relate to them: “I won’t ever find myself in such outrageous circumstances,” or “I doubt my faith will ever be tested like that.” If you’re in that camp, I hear you….
Esther on Lessons in Aloneness
If you’ve wondered why I’ve been absent from your inbox for a while, it’s because I’ve been struggling with Lyme disease again. It can come out of remission much like cancer can. The climb back to health is like scaling a cliff. It’s scary and lonely. It reminds me of Esther….
Why Should Nicodemus’s Story Matter to Me?
Easter. I won’t fully wrap my head around its message until I get to heaven. For now, I remain in awe of God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice. But many people played a role in Easter’s message, including Nicodemus—who’s mentioned only in the Gospel of John….
Pulling Back the Curtain on Jesus’ Childhood
Have you ever wondered what Jesus’ life was like when He was growing up? I have….
What Do You Know About Your Roots?
Ever wonder about your roots? Tried to trace your ancestry? Your roots connect you with a larger whole. Finding those connections can give you a profound sense of “belonging.”…
Balaam’s Cautionary Tale for Governments and Us
Do you have Sunday school memories of Balaam’s talking donkey? From that charming perspective, Balaam seems to be the ass, while the donkey wisely recognizes God’s angel standing in the road. But the full story is more interesting—and totally relevant to today’s current events….
How You Can Be Sure God is in the Details
“God is concerned about the details of your life.” You’ve heard that many times, but why is it hard to believe?…
Why God Likes to Scatter
This month I started a one-year Bible reading plan. I’m already behind. I can’t help it. I have questions. Like why does the theme of scattering keep coming up? What’s bad about not scattering? And why should we care about it today?…
