Just Passing Through “They came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.” — Acts 18:19 (CSB) Background Ephesus was no ordinary city. It was one of the most powerful and influential cities in the Roman Empire—famous for its harbor, culture, commerce, and especially … Continue reading The Sacred Places: Ephesus
Bible Study
The Sacred Places: Bethlehem
The Shepherd’s Watch “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” — Luke 2:8–9 (NIV) Background Just outside Bethlehem, hills roll gently like waves frozen … Continue reading The Sacred Places: Bethlehem
Sacred Places: Bethlehem
The Fields of Boaz “So Ruth left and entered the field to gather grain behind the harvesters. She happened to be in the portion of land belonging to Boaz…” — Ruth 2:3 (CSB) Background Long before Bethlehem became known for a manger and a star, it was known for its fields. Fertile, sloping hills outside … Continue reading Sacred Places: Bethlehem
Caleb: The Dog Who Followed Wholeheartedly
The Hebrew name Caleb (כָּלֵב) often gets translated as something odd to our modern ears: “dog.” That alone might make you pause. In ancient times, dogs were not cuddly house pets. They were scavengers—often seen as unclean and wild. So why would a man of such courage and faith carry a name like that? Well, … Continue reading Caleb: The Dog Who Followed Wholeheartedly
Saul – The People’s Choice
Reign: c. 1050–1010 BCScripture Focus: 1 Samuel 8–31 The people of Israel stood at a crossroads. God had been their King, guiding them through prophets and judges, but now they wanted what the surrounding nations had: a monarch they could see, follow, and rally behind. This wasn’t simply a request for leadership—it was a rejection … Continue reading Saul – The People’s Choice
Truth in Bloom 