I was talking with a friend the other day about many of today’s problems and how Christians should respond. At some point in the conversation she said something like “I’m tired of all the people who say ‘Jesus is the answer’ and then do nothing about it on their own.” I didn’t respond at the… Continue reading Psalm 34: I Wonder What Would Happen to this World?
Author: onthefoothills@gmail.com
The Lost Children (version 1)
I was reading Matthew 2:16-18 and wondered what life might have been like for one of those families who had their child killed by Herod when he was seeking to put baby Jesus to death. How would they have lived afterward? How would this event have shaped their future? Would they be angry and become jaded? If so, would there be any reconciliation for them in this lifetime? This story is a bit long (about 5,000 words) but it is one of the favorite ones I have written. I would love to hear your thoughts should you take the time to read it.
Painting by Leon Cogniet, Massacre of the Innocents, 1824.
Psalm 33: What If I Don’t Feel Like Singing?
The first time we are told to sing a new song unto the Lord is in Psalm 33, but to be honest, I rarely feel like singing. I think I attribute a portion of my reticence to bad genetics, as no one in my family has a good singing voice. In fact, I remember my… Continue reading Psalm 33: What If I Don’t Feel Like Singing?
The Two Men: Psalm 32
This poem is taken from my book A New Song, (Westbow Press, 2016) and can be found online HERE.
Psalm 32: The Source of Happiness
Psalm 32 begins with the phrase “Blessed is the one…” and I’ve often wondered what “blessed” really means. The Psalms use “blessed” quite a bit (twenty-five times to be exact) which is more than half of the times it’s used in the Old Testament (forty-five times). In the New Testament, the Greek equivalent is used… Continue reading Psalm 32: The Source of Happiness
Black Like Me
I have been watching, like most other people, the many recent events unfolding across America exposing racial tensions. To be honest, my first reaction has been to dismiss them, for I didn’t think they really applied to me, a white American. Other people have taken a more extreme approach by diminishing the events by rationalizing… Continue reading Black Like Me
Psalm 31: My Times are in His Hands
It was about noon and the sun should have been high in the clear sky, but instead the land was covered in darkness. Standing in the distance I could tell accusations and taunts were being hurled at the man on the cross. Unlike others I had seen crucified, this man was different, at least he… Continue reading Psalm 31: My Times are in His Hands
Voices: Psalm 29
Weak the cries that rise to you Up from this life of pain. Stronger are the voices from The angels who help reign. But no voice in all the realms Compare to holy tongue, Giving life to all that is When forming note was sung. Clear and strong your voice rang out You brought all… Continue reading Voices: Psalm 29
Psalm 30: Must All Good Things Come to an End?
I’ve been told my whole life all good things must come to an end, and for the most part, I’ve allowed myself to believe it. My first recollection of this phenomenon was in elementary school when a close friend moved to Seattle. A group of parents took us to see the fantastic Disney movie “Hawmps”… Continue reading Psalm 30: Must All Good Things Come to an End?
Psalm 29: The Third Voice
We live in a world where the din of a thousand voices clamor for time competing to be heard. We hear them on the radio, in podcasts, and on the street; we read them in the newspaper, magazines, and the internet; at times we even cast our own voice into the mix, hoping, just like… Continue reading Psalm 29: The Third Voice