Author Archive | janej

Several years ago I saw a book in a small gift shop in Coronado titled “IF.” Such a small word; such a big subject! The dictionary defines ‘if’ as “a condition or qualification” and that certainly is what it implies in 1 Samuel 12:14. Samuel tells the people on behalf of the Lord that IF […]

There’s a tiny little phrase in The Story of Ruth this week that jumped out at me. It’s the phrase, “As it turned out…” found in Ruth 2:3b. In the context of the chapter, Ruth has asked Naomi for her approval to go to the fields “and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in […]

In case you haven’t noticed, in the back section of The Story there are some questions to think about for each chapter. In staff meeting on Tuesday, Pastor Sean chose this one: “Why does God often use weak and uncertain people like Gideon to do his work?” Among other answers, someone gave this one, “In […]

Sunday’s message was a powerful – and challenging – reminder, wasn’t it? As God’s people we are to be different! We are to be people of the Word, people of prayer, and people who are marked by God. What does that mark look like in your life, I wonder? (How do you see it in […]

It’s been my experience that when someone complains and whines, finds fault and never seems to be satisfied, there’s a something deeper going on. And usually, if you ask enough questions, you’ll find the root cause is fear – fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of abandonment. You name it, and fear is probably […]

There’s a lot to chew on in this chapter, isn’t there? The Israelites finding themselves in the Desert of Sinai reminded me of the day I got off the plane to make my new home in San Diego. It seemed as if I’d come to another world. It was surely like that for the Israelites. […]

This week I was at a day-long orientation for the School of Ministry, and the speaker (quoting from something a pastor once told her) told us: “Don’t think you have to take notes on everything a speaker says. It’s more important to listen. Write something down when the Holy Spirit tells you the something you […]

The story of Joseph, thanks to Broadway, is one of the best known stories in the Bible! And it certainly is a good one to remind us that even though ‘stuff’ happens in the Lower Story, God is still in charge. But my thoughts are turning in a slightly different direction today. Joseph is called […]

Jane’s Blog – The Story, Chapter 2 This past weekend, in Pastor Sean’s message (check it out on podcast if you missed it), we were reminded that God’s ways are not our ways. He often uses those we least expect, including an old couple who were well past child-bearing years named Abraham and Sarah. But […]

The author of the book of Genesis is historically considered to be Moses. And this week I got to thinking about what I would write if tasked with describing Creation, the Fall, and the Flood – the major themes of Genesis 1-9 (chapter 1 of The Story). Obviously Moses wrote a blockbuster! The Bible is […]