Who is Really in Charge?

In 2022, during the holiday season, before I signed off at my day job for several days of vacation, I emailed my coworkers with the subject line “Ask Barbara Not an Option.”

Why did I do this?

First, I did it to be funny.

Second, I would travel by car for my vacation and would have extremely limited time or access to internet service.

But also, having started working as the receptionist and eventually becoming the office manager, I get asked many questions throughout the workweek in my job.

Thus, from the day I started working at my current employer, I have regularly interacted with every single department. Thus, I know many details about many things.

But this does not mean I am the one in charge at work.

What does any of this have to do with Luke 2:1-7?

Continue reading “Who is Really in Charge?”

Why Do People Worship God? |Exodus 4:31 | Part Two

I’m back!

In Why Do People Worship God? | Exodus 4:31 | Part One, we considered the primary and secondary definitions of both the word worship and God using Merriam-Webster.com.

We then reviewed how the stage was set in Genesis 15:12-14 and how the plot developed from Genesis 41:41-43 through Exodus 4:17 before the people in Exodus 4:31 responded to the news Moses and Aaron presented to them by worshipping God.

Today, we will continue our study of Exodus 4, seeking to gain insight into why people worship God.

Continue reading “Why Do People Worship God? |Exodus 4:31 | Part Two”

Psalm 23:1-6 | You Are With Me

YouAreWithMe

I recently spent a month away from my home. Then, two weeks after being back, I traveled to a conference related to my day job for a week.

The first trip involved traveling solo, but upon arrival, I was constantly with family except for the occasional errand or taking a stroll in the evening.

I traveled with two coworkers to the conference that had over 600 attendees but had a room to myself at the end of each day.

Although both travel experiences varied, I had the same sense of longing during both.

I wished my husband and my pets were with me.

What does this have to do with Psalm 23:1-6?

Continue reading “Psalm 23:1-6 | You Are With Me”

SHINE

sunrise

What is the definition of shine?

Consider the following possibilities found at Merriam-Webster.com:

1 : to emit rays of light

2 : to be bright by reflection of light

3a : to be eminent, conspicuous, or distinguished  

b : to perform extremely well

4 : to have a bright glowing appearance

5 : to be conspicuously evident or clear

What is the opposite of shine?

Consider the following possibilities found at Merriam-Webster.com:

1 : to make dark

2 : to make less clear : obscure the financial crisis darkened the future of the company

3 : taint, tarnish darkened his reputation

4 : to cast a gloom over

5 : to make of darker color

  • How often have you gotten up to see a sunrise begin to shine?
  • How did it make you feel?
  • How would you feel if you got up expecting to see the sunshine and it was dark instead?

Come explore what the Lord is communicating to us in Joel 3:15  about the sun, moon and stars ceasing to shine.

Continue reading “SHINE”