open hands offer gifts of color

Justice, Generosity, and the Kingdom of God

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash When Isaiah says, "Cleanse yourselves," do you and I immediately think of justice for the poor and marginalized? I usually don't. Instead, I think of my pet sins and my personal battle against them. In…
surprised by confetti

Surprised By Grace & Judgment, Isaiah 15-24

Photo by Erik Brolin on Unsplash Are you surprised by God's grace? Not always. We often take his grace for granted. What about his judgment? Does that surprise us? Actually, it shocks us, because we think, like Santa Claus, God will always…
movie trailer take 1

Coming Soon: The Day of the LORD, Isaiah 13 & 14

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash   If "The Day of the LORD" were a blockbuster movie, Isaiah 13-14 could be its movie trailer. In these two chapters, the prophet flashes scenes of devastation interspersed with heart-rending love…
Do these signs make you sing?

The Unimpressive Shoot Who Makes Us Sing

The election 2020 candidates have all tried to impress us, but it's the unimpressive "shoot from the root of Jesse" who will make us sing. Today we cast our vote. What will tomorrow bring? The end of campaign rhetoric at the very least.…