Boaz and Ruth Devotions on Ruth 3:1-18 Monday–Boaz and Ruth “I need to seek some security for you, so that It may be well with you” (Ruth 3:1). It would be appropriate in the opening scene in chapter three to have the song, “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” from the play “Fiddler on the Roof,” playing in […]
Devotional Thoughts
Ruth 2:1-23, Ruth and Boaz
Ruth and Boaz Devotions on Ruth 2:1-23 Monday, Ruth and Boaz “Now Naomi had a kinsman on her husband’s side, a prominent rich man … whose name was Boaz” (Ruth 2:1). The writer of Ruth introduces Boaz by sharing two facts with the reader. Boaz is “family” to Naomi and he is rich. He has […]
Exodus 19:3-7, 20:1-17–Moses and the 10 Commandments
Moses and the 10 Commandments Devotions on Exodus 19:3-7, 20:1-17 Monday–Moses and the 10 Commandments “The Lord called to him [Moses] from the mountain” (Exodus 19:3). Toshi and Tyneal had been friends since grade school. Recently though they had a little spiff over a girl to whom they were both attracted. They had’t been […]
Philippians 2:1-13, Jesus Emptied Himself
Jesus Emptied Himself Devotions on Philippians 2:1-13 Monday–Jesus Emptied Himself “Make my joy complete” (Philippians 2:2a) Amy was frightened. After being groomed to take over a four generation family business, she was going to tell her father that she wanted to pursue another career. Taking a deep breath, Amy knocked on the office door, […]
Philippians 1:1-18a–Paul, Who Wrote Philippians
Paul, Who Wrote Philippians Devotions on Philippians 1:1-18a Monday–Paul, Who Wrote Philippians “I thank my God every time I remember you” (Philippians 1:3). Family and friends gathered around Sally for her one hundredth birthday. Part of the celebration, as usual, was an opportunity for Sally to share with everyone the wisdom that she had learned […]
Acts 17:16-31, Paul in Athens
Paul in Athens Devotions on Acts 17:16-31 Monday–Paul in Athens “He was deeply distressed to see that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16). Cal participates in several of his congregation’s missions projects. It wasn’t until he participated in a Habitat for Humanity build that he got hooked. As Cal tells the story, when […]
Acts 16:16-34, Paul and Silas in Jail
Paul and Silas in Jail Devotions for Acts 16:16-34 Monday–Paul and Silas in Jail “’These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation’” (Acts 16:17). In the gospels, few people realized who Jesus truly was. The demons knew who Jesus was, though, and they frequently blurted […]
Acts 9:1-19, Paul’s Conversion
Bertholet Flemalle, Conversion de saint Paul sur le chemin de Damas Paul’s Conversion Acts 9:1-19 Monday–Paul’s Conversion “Still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1). Kyle was not a happy camper. His parents had dressed him in a funny looking white outfit and brought him to church. In the middle […]
John 20:1-18–The Passion of Jesus Christ
The Passion of Jesus Christ Holy Week (Instead of focusing on Easter’s lesson of the day through Holy Week, I have chosen to reflect on what Jesus said and did each day of Holy Week. Many of my thoughts are drawn from Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan’s book, The Last Week.) Monday–The Passion of […]
John 19:16b-22, Jesus King of the Jews
Jesus King of the Jews Devotions on John 19:16b-22 Monday–Jesus King of the Jews “So they took Jesus” (John 19:16b) Pushing and shoving, the Jewish authorities and the crowd force Jesus to walk what we now call the Via De La Rosa. Foolishly they convince themselves that they have taken an itinerant preacher from […]