We’ve all heard or read stories about a stage mom. Maybe you know one. Maybe you are one.
Stage moms are usually proud for a reason. They believe they have exceptional kids who deserve commensurate amounts of attention. And they will do what it takes to ensure their kids are in the spotlight.
Salome was one of those moms. She had raised two (more…)
An engaging story is rife with conflict as the protagonist—a lead character for whom you find yourself cheering—contends against the antagonist, generally known as the bad guy.
The story of Athaliah and Jehosheba takes place when a litany of bad guys in the form of kings committed abominations against the Lord and His people. Athaliah was the daughter of King Ahab, one (more…)
After the death of Moses’ successor, Joshua, Israel developed a bad case of spiritual amnesia. God’s people had forgotten who He is, what He had done for them, and what He required of them.
So God appointed judges, valiant military leaders who also acted as spiritual and moral authorities pointing people to their need for repentance.
Deborah, of the tribe of Naphtali, became (more…)
The thought of some people brings a smile to our lips. Maybe it’s their kindness, thoughtfulness or reliability—the way they consistently show up and make everything better just by their presence.
Rhoda is like that for me. I can’t read about her in Acts 12 without smiling as I imagine her youthful exuberance and determination. Older, seemingly wiser people dismissed her account, (more…)
If you were to ask someone to name five biblical women, Mary Magdalene would almost certainly make it to the list. Her name appears 12 times in the gospels, and her story has taken on mythical proportions.
Mary Magdalene deserves top billing—not in fictionalized accounts of her life but among the ranks of women who sincerely followed Jesus. It’s time to separate (more…)