By Beth Demme Do you remember Paul Harvey? He was on the radio back in the day, always sharing “the rest of the story.” Well, in Christianity, Ascension is the rest of the story. As much as my faith is based on incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection, it is also about ascension. I declare this every time I say the Apostles’ …
Why I Don’t Believe God Is Harsh
Why I Don’t Believe God Is Harsh By Beth Demme If you had to describe God in only one word, what word would you choose? Go ahead, say it out loud. I’m waiting. Seriously, I’m listening. Go ahead and say it. Ooooh, good word! (I mean, probably. You probably chose a good word. I can’t actually hear you.) I worry …
Bible Beware
Bible Beware By Beth Demme It’s tempting. Really, it is. It’s tempting to read the Bible thru a lens of “we’re in, they’re out.” When it comes to faith, too many of us have been fed a steady diet of us v. them. We have developed an almost insatiable need to be sure we are “in,” compelling us to identify …
There Is A Big God And It’s Not Me
There Is A Big God And It’s Not Me By Beth Demme I want a GIANT poster that says, “There is a Big God and it’s NOT me.” This is the foundational truth at work in the Bible, from the very first sentence of the very first chapter. (Genesis 1:1) It’s the first of the Ten Commandments God speaks to …
It’s Not About What You Can Do
It’s Not About What You Can Do God Can Make Abundance From Nothing By Beth Demme I know you know the story. The story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. Jesus wanted a little peace and quiet to mourn the death of John the Baptist. He tried to go off by himself, but the crowds followed him. Jesus put …
Check Your Soil
Seeds of Love Have Been Sown In You By Beth Demme I know many people who have beautiful stories about their conversion to Christianity. I love those stories! However, I don’t have a story like that. Not exactly. Because I grew up in the church, I don’t have a day circled in red on the calendar that marks my “before …
Wait, There Are Unicorns in the Bible?
Unicorns and Girdles in the Bible By Beth Demme Did you know that Bible translators may have invented the unicorn? Learning tidbits like this has made the Bible, and Bible study, more manageable and meaningful to me; I hope it does the same for you. The King James Version uses the word unicorn nine times, all in the Old Testament. …
Are You A Work In Progress?
Are You a Work in Progress? By Beth Demme I’ve written before (here, here, and here) about how I love the Old Testament. One of my favorite Old Testament heroes is the long ago judge of Israel, Gideon. (Judges 6-8) I appreciate Gideon’s story not because of his heroism, but because of his lack of it. Gideon teaches me that …
The First Advent What Did Mary Know?
The First Advent What Did Mary Know? By Beth Demme There’s a popular song we hear every Advent called “Mary, Did You Know?” It was first released by a Christian recording artist in 1991. Since then it’s been recorded by a variety of musicians and has appeared on Billboard’s charts for Christian music, country music, R&B, Hip-Hop, and the “Hot …
What’s In Your Bible? Probably Not the Apocrypha
What’s in Your Bible? Probably Not the Apocrypha By Beth Demme For the last few weeks, we’ve been looking at “What’s In Your Bible?” When I looked to see what was in my Bible, I found questions and notes leading to questions. I think questions are good stuff! I can’t imagine reading the Bible without questions popping up. In addition …