But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary. Luke 1:30 The angel's preface to his commissioning, "Do not be afraid," is the most commonly repeated command in the Bible. There is good reason for this for we are people of fear. Mary was afraid of what the angel was going to ask her to … Continue reading Command and Promise
Author: Eva Burkholder
Angelic Greeting
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored!The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. Luke 1:28-29 Mary was troubled, agitated, disturbed—greatly. Yeah! Sounds about right! It's not often that a heavenly being speaks to you. But surprisingly, she wondered—reasoned, deliberated, … Continue reading Angelic Greeting
Divine Encounter
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Luke 1:26-27 Two thousand years ago, a young girl had a divine encounter that changed the course … Continue reading Divine Encounter
Hearts and Spines
"Look for tangible expressions of God's intangible love," our pastor challenged us last week. What better place to see God's love than at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in Fredericksburg, Texas. As Mark and I scanned the vistas for a sign—a heart in nature—we didn't see a thing. All we saw was a rock shaped … Continue reading Hearts and Spines
To Know This Love
Today my heart is heavy for several loved ones who are hurting: with deep wounds of hurt that have yet to be healedwondering if they'll be rejected because they don't want to keep doing what they think they should doat the end of their rope because they've tried so long to please others and they … Continue reading To Know This Love
Pain and Hope
How does one accept the reality of pain and disappointment without losing hope? How do we surrender and face reality and yet not give up? How do we trust that God might never answer our prayer the way we want it and yet still keep asking for a miracle? How does one continue to experience loss and yet still have faith?
Deeper than Hell
I pray that you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of God's love]. Ephesians 3:18 Finally, we come to the depth of God's love. God's Love is also deeper than Hell. One of the most gripping scenes in the Lord of the Rings is when Gandalf … Continue reading Deeper than Hell
Higher than the Heavens
I pray that you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of God's love].Ephesians 3:18 A few months ago, I watched The Martian, starring Matt Damon. There is nothing like views of space, planets, stars and distances so far away it takes twenty-four minutes for a message to … Continue reading Higher than the Heavens
