On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells … Continue reading Releasing
Mary of Nazareth
Widow
Joseph, by Fontanini I have a beautiful Italian Fontanini nativity set. Last year when I set it up, I realized I didn't know which figure was Joseph. In fact, I was afraid I didn't have Joseph at all. So I googled and discovered that one of the figures that looked like a shepherd was in … Continue reading Widow
Anxious
When our son John-Mark was about 5 or 6, we lost him in Heathrow airport. We were sitting at the gate waiting and did not notice him wander off. I looked up and he was just gone. A very anxious 15 or 20 minutes ensued as we searched up and down the walkways for a … Continue reading Anxious
Refugee
When Jesus was born to his mother Mary, there was no baby shower, no birth announcement, no balloons, no visitors in the waiting room, no facebook post. Instead there were some very unique visitors. So [the shepherds] came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay … Continue reading Refugee
At-Risk
John-Mark D. Burkholder "I can feel that," I told my obstetrician as he pricked the left side of my abdomen on December 11, 1992. I was on an operating table in an outdated birthing clinic in Bandung, Indonesia, prepped for a C-section. As with my first pregnancy, I had pre-eclampsia but this baby was also breech. The … Continue reading At-Risk
Upended
Mary was all set to marry Joseph and raise a normal Jewish family in Nazareth. She expected to follow in her mother's footsteps. She was probably already dreaming of how she would keep her kitchen, raise her children and organize her days. But all that changed in an instant.
Pierced One
At age 15, I got my ears pierced. While never strictly forbidden, my family silently frowned upon ear piercing. After all, if God had meant me to have holes in my ears, I would have been born with them! But the big hoops that hung on the ears of my older and sophisticated cousins in … Continue reading Pierced One
Blessed to Obey
Last Christmas, I had the privilege of watching my son perform at the Lancaster Bible College concert. I so enjoyed his enthusiasm, the way he sang so heartily and paid full attention to the director. Not only was he in the choir, but he also played bells and xylophone. But then, to my surprise, he suddenly … Continue reading Blessed to Obey
Pondered Treasures 