Not a whole lot to say on this part   Like Mark, first things are acts of power over evil and illnessPeter's response is a common one when encountering the holy - I am unclean! Psalm 64 - I love how it describes how the heedless think they are "getting away with it" but God sees and God foils their plans Proverbs 11:22 - Same could be said of any other person...  Read More

Doesn't look too highly on the intelligence of women when talking about their vows.  Sigh31:18 - Keep all the young girls for yourselfs?  What??   Temptation / Purifiction / Preparation - feels like what some call a Vision Quest.  Self denial in order to create opportunities for visions and insightsNazareth - see my sermon from February Psalm 63 - Such a vivid description of a longing for God.  So...  Read More

Im personally grateful that we don't do offerings in the same way now as was then... It is easy to skip over this but there are some deep stories embedded within the names.   Psalm 62 - For God alone my soul waits in silence.  In God alone.  So beautiful.  Also a focus on the centrality of trust in God.   Proverbs 11:18-19 - Right living = good living?  Always true?  ...  Read More

- Do we accept the things of God as Moses did?  Should we? John - a turning to JEsus but also a deep prophetic sense.  Psalm 61 - Shelter of your wings - one of the many places w/ feminine imagery for God.   Proverbs 11:16-17 - verse 17 - being cruel does active harm!...  Read More

Countings and numberings - not much to say here oops - I talked about anna yesterdayLook at verses 40 and 52 - Strong, wise, in the favor of God Psalm 60 - For instruction - how was this a Psalm for instruction?  How to be humble when humbled?  How to pray when all seems to have failed / fallen apart? Proverbs 11:15 - Common sense wisdom here...  Read More

So we have the whole Balak/Balaam thing and then it is just dropped?  Why?Brutality of ancient days and the things that we do in the name of God then and now.  Sigh Lots of tradition here - the inn didn't necessarily mean a hotel-like place.  Likely more of a guesthouse type of thing in a home.  Also, not a stable but animals were often rbought into the home for safetyThe joy of the people on the ...  Read More

Why was God angry if Balaam was going as God told him to?Speak what God says not what others say Zechariah's song - I love the connections with these songs and the Balaam oracles.  Looking over the events of the day and proclaiming God's workingIntersting to compare and contrast Mary's song with Zechariah's Psalm 58 - What a contrast to 57.  Have I ever felt this angry and afraid?  Yes Proverbs 11...  Read More

Did God really desire the death of all the people?Balaam - God speaking to and through someone outside the community Mary's response to the angel doesn't seem to be fear like so many otherstories.  Responses seem more curious than challengingMary likely leaves with haste to protect herself from what could have happened in NazarethMary's song - Revolutionary and powerful message Psalm 57 - Love thi...  Read More

Totally unfair move by God against Moses in my opinionAaron'd death - once again, I love the phrase, "Gathered to his people" Zecharaian sounds like Abraham and Sarah. John as a new Isaac? Psalm 56 - v8 - You have kept count of my tossings, put my tears in your bottle.  Are they not in your record?  Heartbreaking to read Proverbs 11:8 - The heedless get into it instead.  Feels a bit like a cartoon...  Read More

I love how Moses doesn't give up on the people but instead intercedes for them I love the 1-8 ending. I love the mystery and wonder of itThe other endings feel like they are a "best of" the other Gospels Psalm 55 - Who is David lamenting the betrayal by?  Saul? Jonathan? Someone else?  Violated a covenant - sounds like Jonathan but no story about itv20 - Why "with me" if it is not in the Hebrewv23...  Read More

Things feel like they are fraying.  Explaining natural phenomena or myth or factual? You say so - what was the sense of this - a question?  Statement?  Sarcastic?  Serious?  How would each change this?v21 - Connection possibly to the Alexander and Rufus in Actsv34-35 - Why is quoting the Psalm calling for Elijah?Curtain - torn from top to bottom.  Divine act, not human.  Rememeber the detailed ins...  Read More

Good afternoon friends! I just wanted to get a few quick reminders out to y'all before tomorrow (Sunday morning), so this won't go into great detail about any of the items below but just some quick reminders.One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering - We will be collecting the OGHS special offering tomorrow and on 3/29. So if you feel so led to participate in a special offering (and I hope you do...  Read More