The focus of Isaiah’s objection and God’s subsequent healing is the lips. The mouth holds much power. As Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel says, “Words create worlds.” God links the mouth with...

God offers Isaiah a fresh invitation to serve. Isaiah finds himself entangled in regret and shame as he witnesses God’s glory and holiness firsthand. He doesn’t feel “clean” enough to be...

While some come only out of a sense of duty or obligation, others have saved up to make the pilgrimage. It is Pentecost Day in Jerusalem, a fixed holy day for...

The grandeur of creation reminds us of God’s glory. Trees older than countries, canyons deeper than rivers speak of the power and majesty of the God who created them. Birds tiny...

If you knew you were about to leave your family abruptly, what would you say to them? John 14–17 essentially records Jesus’ leave-taking conversation with his disciples. We learn so much...

Some days even the most silver-tongued find it difficult to pray. Stupefying days, like 9/11, when life’s harshness has slapped the words of prayer out of our mouths. Prayerless days because...

It is small wonder that we hesitate to pray about some things. Our culture has wired us to believe that we can dictate the results as we pray our prayers. On...

Jesus still has much to say in this last conversation before his arrest and execution, but the disciples cannot bear what he needs to tell them. The rest will have to...

Here stands Pentecost, tall, proud, and long-legged. Originally a celebration for the children of Israel, now the “birthday” of the Christian movement—repurposed by the faithful who have seen Jesus! More than...

One of my favorite stories is Max Lucado’s You Are Special. It tells of the Wemmicks, uniquely created wooden people carved by Eli the woodworker. Every day the Wemmicks give one...