Genesis 40:1-23
Commentary
Comments and Observations The narrative of Pharaoh’s Cupbearer and Baker falls within the broader narrative of the story of Joseph. It’s hard to pull this out and look at it without placing it in the context of Joseph’s trials and tribulations thus far. So, let’s review where Joseph’s been when we get to this chapter…
Exodus 7:1-7
Commentary
Comments, Observations, and Questions to Consider As we all know, life is full of hard, impossible questions. And the question “why?” often tops the list – especially when we’re looking at events that simply don’t make sense to our human brains. We hear anguished parents cry it at the graveside of a child. We hear…
Joshua 6
Commentary
Comments and Observations I imagine if you were brought up in a faith tradition, at some point in your church education (Church School/Sunday School) you acted out this story from Joshua 6. I have a very vivid memory of lining up with my classmates and quietly tip-toeing around a wall of cardboard boxes six times,…
Nehemiah 8:1-12
Commentary
Comments and Observations It must have been a long, hot, tense six months. The book of Nehemiah tells the story of the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah secures permission to return to his home land in order to rebuild the walls. But not everyone is pleased by…
Matthew 13:10-17
Commentary
Comments, Observations, and Questions to Consider Thus far in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus has been busy. He’s been teaching and preaching, he’s been healing, he’s been explaining, he’s been gathering disciples, and he’s been traveling. And, here in chapter 13 he does something new. He tells his audience a story – a parable –…
2 Corinthians 7
Commentary
Comments and Observations Recently my congregation lifted up their voices and sang “Blessed Be Your Name” (Matt and Beth Redman). The song speaks of the ups and downs in life – we sang of the times when we’re “in the land that is plentiful, where your streams of abundance flow” we sang of the times…
Hebrews 6:1-12
Commentary
Comments and Observations In the well-known and well-loved musical The Sound of Music, the governess Maria spends some time teaching her young charges how to sing. She starts the lesson by saying (in song, of course) “Let’s start at the very beginning – a very good place to start. When you read you begin with”….
Revelation 4
Commentary
Comments and Observations Ah, Revelation – interesting language, vivid pictures, and challenging symbols – all pointing to that Day of Days when evil will be defeated once and for all, and God will gather up his own and take them home. After explaining what he’s about and admonishing the seven churches, John turns his eyes…
About Mary Stegink