Reflections from Joel
Fear not, O land;be glad and rejoice,for the LORD has done great things!Fear not, you beasts of the field,for the pastures of the wilderness are green;the tree bears its fruit;the fig tree and vine give their full yield. Joel 2:21-22 Praych It! Have you ever heard somebody praych? That is, have you listened to someone pray and suspected they were really preaching to you instead of speaking to God? It may be that someone has heard us pray that way… Read More »Fear and Favor
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD,“return to me with all your heart,with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;and rend your hearts and not your garments.”Return to the LORD your God,for he is gracious and merciful,slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;and he relents over disaster.Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,and leave a blessing behind him,a grain offering and a drink offeringfor the LORD your God?(Joel 2:12-14) The prophet, Joel, surprises the reader with this amazing oracle… Read More »Who Knows?
Hear this, you elders;give ear, all inhabitants of the land!Has such a thing happened in your days,or in the days of your fathers?Tell your children of it,and let your children tell their children,and their children to another generation.(Joel 1:2-3) Just when you thought it was safe to go into the wheat field… LOCUSTS! Okay, maybe it will not be a blockbuster thriller hitting the big screen anytime soon, but in ancient Palestine an invasion of locusts brought sheer terror. The… Read More »Tell Me a Story, Grandpa