Humility.
Quite possibly the hardest and most important virtue for all of humanity. In fact, St. Augustine said: “Humility is the foundation of all the virtues; therefore, in a soul where it does not exist there can be no true virtue, but the mere appearance only. In like manner, it is the most proper disposition for all celestial gifts.
Read MoreI remember experiencing a series of pretty awful events several years ago. You know how it is drama transpires that just isn’t really necessary. If it hasn’t happened to you, I’m sure you’ve seen other people go through it, and you probably think to yourself, “And THAT’S why I prefer to live dramafree!”
Read MoreI’m originally from southern California, and after being gone for eight years, I’m so blessed and grateful to be back. The state is going through an awful drought, which apparently started in my absence (aren’t we always in a drought?), and being here has reminded me of two things:
1. We don’t realize how good our water tastes until we have been drinking notsogood water for a very long time. Yes, I do mean our tap water.
2. There is nothing like huge sip of cold water after being in the sun and heat.
Read MoreBefore I begin:
As we read the Bible, it is a good exercise to relate certain words or phrase to other language that is used in Scripture. For example, “water” is often related to the Holy Spirit or new life, and “law” often means the word of God. When we read a passage several times in this way, always trying to go deeper with the meaning of the words, we become more open to what the Holy Spirit may want to show us, and we begin making connections and viewing Scripture as a whole, integrated text.
Read MoreTears can be healing. As women especially, I think that many of us know this. There are also women who can’t seem to cry, won’t let themselves, or see it as a sign of weakness. But as humans, we are mind, body, and soul. We have intellect, emotion, and will. Living a fully integrated, human existence requires us to acknowledge our emotions, whether good or bad.
Read MoreSo I know a lot of people working in education, customer service, retail, restaurants, public service, etc., and I hear some of the worst horror stories. Kids acting out in class, customers making outrageous accusations, people who pretend to be good Christians by offering prayers instead of leaving tips.
Read MoreYou may have heard the story of the “footprints in the sand.” In a dream, a woman walked along the beach with the Lord, and scenes from her life flashed by. There were two sets of footprints, hers and the Lord’s, throughout most of her life. Yet she became distressed because she noticed that during some of the lowest, most trying times of her life there was only one set of footprints. When she asked the Lord why He would abandon her during times of great trial, He responded with, “Those are the time that I carried you.”
Read MoreAdmitting when we're wrong, weak, or defeated is hard. Really hard. It's what makes relationships complex and difficult. It's why we fall into bitterness and resentment and act out of fear. We take the reasons for our failings and turn them into excuses because we have such a hard time admitting that we are just not sufficient on our own.
Read MoreI don't know about you, but I wasn't too sure about what I'd find while reading a book called "Lamentations." The name itself sounds fairly depressing, and most of the verses sound quite the opposite of some of the joyful praises we find in the Psalms. At first I wondered why a book like this would even be in the Bible, and I'll be honest I hadn't read it before.
Read MoreThank you so much for joining us on the book of Judith!
I pray Judith helped you conquer your fears and face your enemies with the strength of God.
Read MoreJudith began this thanksgiving with a song of praise for the Lord.
It’s easy to sing praises when our cups are full and every need is met. When the enemy has been crushed, and the people have been saved, it’s appropriate to celebrate.
Read MoreAs we wrap up our Judith study, we see a happy ending. The Assyrian army flees, and the Israelites celebrate.
Read MoreHere, Judith leads everyone with specific instructions on how to seize the Assyrians without even trying.
And because she just beheaded the leader of their enemy, everyone followed every word to the T. This woman knows what she’s talking about!
Read MoreCan I just be real with you for a minute?
I feel like this entire book would make a great movie. My heart was pounding furiously in this chapter!
From the moment Judith was alone with Holofernes in the bedchamber, to her prayer right before she beheaded him, andrunning in the night and returning to Bethulia, screaming at the watchmen to open the gates - I literally held my breath!
Read MoreEven as a guest in an unfamiliar culture with different traditions and practices, Judith remains faithful to the Lord. She politely refused to eat the food and wine offered to her by Holofernes
Read MoreFrom the moment Judith speaks her first words to Holofernes, she has him hooked.
Her beauty, of course, plays a huge part in deceiving him. But he is not easily fooled by beauty. Judith presents herself as a sharp, insightful, and intelligent woman that he can’t help but be impressed by the whole package.
Read MoreWhen Judith walks through the valley, she doesn’t hesitate to tell the Assyrian patrol the reason for her visit. Struck by her marvelous beauty, he immediately believes her.
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