“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14b) As Great Britain gears up for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee—celebrating the longest reign, 70 years, for any monarch in English history—let’s take a look at the shortest reign, by the 16th-century noblewoman who lasted only nine days on the... Continue Reading →

“...let those who love Him be like the sun when it comes out in full strength.” (Judges 5:31b) I have a personal letter from Queen Elizabeth.  I’m not kidding. Okay, it’s from her lady-in-waiting. But it’s on royal stationery, and I’ll still claim it as a real letter from the Queen herself (see below).  Several years ago, my little book group... Continue Reading →

“But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.” (Luke 24:2) This Easter morning has been...profound and glorious. It began with a breathtaking view from the hill above our church at daybreak—the first “sunrise service” I’ve ever attended. There was something mysterious, promising, and enthralling about meeting our Savior there to worship Him. As we listened to... Continue Reading →

“The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: ‘Hosanna! “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” The King of Israel!’” (John 12:12-13) Even though our country hasn’t... Continue Reading →

“By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen.” (Job 37:10) We stood on the thick ice, just beyond the lake’s shore. Much further out from us, cars and people wandered aimlessly across the surface—an unfathomable danger to us Southerners who might see only an inch or so of ice on... Continue Reading →