News & Posts
Day 271 – Israel’s Foreign Wives
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read Ezra returns to the Holy Land. When he returns he finds that many people have intermarried. The Lord warned the people about not marrying non-Jewish spouses. God's people were to be set apart and called to live differently. The...
Day 270 – God’s Favor with Ezra
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read Ezra is friends with Artaxerxes, the king of Persia. His blessings are not due to his own skill but because the hand of the Lord is upon him. Ezra proclaims the people should fast to humble themselves before God. He does not ask...
Day 269 – The Day of Small Things
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read that the temple rebuilding was stopped in Ezra 4 and started again in Ezra 5. Officials asked who gave them permission to do so. They forgot that Cyrus had sent the people back to the Holy Land with instructions. It is important...
Willamette Garage Food Carts
After years of an abandoned gas and service station, the old station was repurposed as a food cart destination in West Linn. Many great food carts, outdoor seating, and drinks are on site—a perfect gathering place for family and friends to enjoy a mix of cuisines....
Day 268 – Rebuilding the Temple
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read in Ezra that the temple was rebuilt in Jerusalem. The people remember and long for the previous temple that was once there under Solomon. The new temple is smaller than before. This is both positive and negative. The positive is...
Day 267 – Indifference and Apathy
Thoughts and Reflection Today we learn that Ezra fulfills the prophecy of Jeremiah. God allowed the people of Judah to go into exile not to destroy them but to reform them. They now have the ability to go home. The book of Haggai is only two chapters but there are...
Day 266 – Son of the Father
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read about the sacrifice of Jesus within his trial before Pilate and the crowd choosing to free Barabbas over him. When we look at the name of Barabbas it translates to the "son of the father" however he is a murderer. Jesus is...
Day 265 – Sins of Omission
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read two parables. The parable of the wise virgins teaches us the importance of being prepared. Oil is a symbol of the virtues that we should be developing in our lives. The next parable of talents tells us that we must use what we...
Day 264 – Preaching Without Practice
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read the Pharisees and scribes are not happy with the way everyone is supporting Jesus. They are concerned about his teachings and their political ramifications of them. In the parable of the wedding feast, a king invites certain...