The Gospel of Luke - Part 6 (final)

This is the last post on our review of the Gospel of Luke. Unique in many ways, Luke gives enormous details to events that help us better understand the experiences of Jesus. While all the Gospels retell parables, Luke offers 24 parables, more than any other Gospel, and 18 of them are unique to Luke’s writing. We understand a parable to be a simple story that illustrates a moral or spiritual lesson. In Luke’s account of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper, we see a “living parable” which is to act out at lesson as a teaching tool. 

Besides parables, Luke recounts events such as the Last Supper. The Jewish people celebrate Passover every year, to remember God’s redemption in freeing them from Egyptian bondage. Based on Exodus 6:6-7, these are the 4 things they are to remember at their Passover Seder (or meal): I will bring you out; I will deliver you; I will redeem you; I will take you as My people. Passover is also called Feast of the Unleavened Bread. They retell the Exodus story, eat bitter herbs and unleavened bread, and sing songs of praise ending with the Great Hallel (or Hallelujah). The 4th cup of wine is then consumed after the Great Hallel, representing grace as “fruit of the vine”. In the New Testament, the Last Supper is, also, a Passover meal, but Jesus offers only 3 cups of wine, ending with singing but no 4th cup, because through crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus becomes the 4th cup - Grace. Today we still celebrate the Lord’s Supper, taking the bread and the cup to remember Jesus, a Living Sacrifice for all.

It is good to refresh our memories of Paul’s Missionary Journeys and ultimate arrest and return to Rome. During his second journey, Paul meets Luke. From then on, Luke travels with Paul, interviewing many people, some eye-witnesses of Jesus, as he writes the Gospel account. Luke also writes Acts. This is a fascinating approach to study Luke, looking for whom he must have interacted and interviewed. The “Luke-only” inclusions give us insight into people and places in the life of Jesus on earth, to include His arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection.

In conclusion, there is much more we could study and explore in the Gospel of Luke. An abundance of details, special circumstances, numerous points of contact, and historical and political influences make Luke’s retelling of Jesus’s story an outstanding historical account. One of my favorite events that only Luke recounts is the “Road to Emmaus” (Luke 24:13-35). These two discouraged followers of Jesus head home, assuming the arrest and crucifixion and burial of Jesus is the end. Unrecognized, Jesus walks with them, teaching them many things about the meaning of the Scriptures. They invite Jesus to stay for a meal and in the breaking of bread “their eyes were opened and they recognized” Jesus. 

What happens next is captured as Luke writes, “They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen...” Every day I hope to find my heart burning in the Presence of God and pray that I am willing to tell others the Lord is risen. To find passion in the Holy Spirit fuels our telling the story of Jesus and defines Believers! On the cross, Jesus becomes “broken bread and poured out wine”, and His resurrection becomes our Grace. If Luke could interview you, what would your story about Jesus be?- dho

The Gospel of Luke - Part 5

One of the most well-known parables of Jesus, The Good Samaritan, is found in Luke 10:25-37. One commentary calls it one of the best “illustrations of human kindness”. Our familiarity with the story rarely overlooks its theme that all people are our neighbors; yet, we may not see story itself as a revelation of human weakness and frailty, of fear and prejudice. Luke’s retelling of this parable of Jesus captures the essence of servanthood, of showing love to others. 

Before we start the story, let’s look at the geography. The rough, steep, and dangerous road between Jerusalem and Jericho, known as The Way of Blood, is historically known to be a place of robbers. Jericho, the City of Palms, is located some 17 miles from Jerusalem with a decline in elevation of about1500 feet. Rebuilt by Herod the Great, Jericho is a wealthy city where many well-to-do Priests and Levites live. They frequently travel from Jericho to Jerusalem to attend to their duties in the Temple. So, it would not be uncommon to find robbers or Priests or Levites or a myriad of travelers along this road.

Our story recounts a man who is robbed, stripped, beaten, and left for dead on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho. Both a Priest and a Levite going down from Jerusalem pass by him, but neither offer any assistance. A Samaritan, who is on a journey, sees the hurt man, has compassion on him, and comes to his rescue. We know from Luke that this Samaritan cleans and bandages his wounds and takes him to an inn, giving the innkeeper enough money to care for him for “24 nights”, promising to check on him when he returns. This Good Samaritan even tells the innkeeper he will cover any other expenses that may occur. This “mercy” shown to the unknown hurt man is called “hesed” in Hebrew, meaning “beyond what is expected.”

The characters in this story reveal their hearts. The Priest probably uses the law as a reason not to help, for it the man is dead, the Priest would be considered unclean if he touches him and then would be unable to perform his duties in the Temple. Scripture, however, tells us the Priest is heading home, his duties complete. The same may be said for the Levite, who may have completed his duties, or perhaps he just didn’t want to get involved. We are often like both of these characters, using excuses or ignoring the need or just too focused on our own busyness to get involved. Maybe they are afraid that what had happened to the hurt man might happen to them. Fear frequently interferes with doing what Jesus desires from us.

Why does Jesus use a Samaritan as an example of someone willing to see the hurt man, to have compassion and provide for his needs? Hostility between the Samaritans and Jewish people had long been known, and during Jesus’ day, it is especially bitter. Considered a “mixed-race” of people, Samaritans are known for worshipping idols and having different beliefs about God. Yet, this is the unlikely person who stops to help, who takes the risk. Jesus is teaching us still today to see the broken, to look beyond our own differences.

As for the hurt man, we may wonder about him, too. Who is he? Where is he going? Could he be another Priest or Levite heading home? Is he a good man who encounters robbers, or is he just another robber, weaker than his attacker? Jesus does not give us any information about the hurt man probably for the very reason He tells the story. The one who shows mercy toward the hurt man, this person demonstrates loving our neighbors. Jesus said, “Go and do the same.” - dho

The Gospel of Luke - Part 4

The most familiar story in the Bible is found in Luke 2, the birth of Christ. Each year at Christmas, it is read in services and homes throughout the world. Luke records this historical event in Luke 2:1-38, giving us specific details outlining the birth and dedication of Jesus. Because Luke is not an eyewitness of these happenings, he gathers information from others, likely Mary in particular. It is Mary who ponders these things in her heart, who will one day stand at the foot of the cross of Jesus.

At the time of Jesus birth, Caesar Augustus is the Emperor of Rome and political chaos is redefining Rome from a republic to an empire. No longer is the power of Rome decided by the people, this new empire is governed by a “single, supreme authority”. Herod the Great, appointed by Rome, is king of Judea and known for murdering both his brothers-in-law and his wife and mother. Herod's reign is full of slaughter. Christianity’s beginnings will always be woven into the culture and history of Rome during the first century. Luke is the only Gospel writer who relates his narrative to dates of world history.

With such familiarity, it can be difficult to keep a fresh view of the account we call the “Christmas story”. This year, in a few short weeks, the season of Advent will be here. Take the time this year to look at these words again, to imagine the culture and scenes, to visualize the manger and Mary, the angels and the shepherds, and the tiny baby born Luke records. Keep the beginnings of Jesus life on earth full of hope and infinite possibility. After all, we know the ending of this story! - dho

The Gospel of Luke - Part 3

Only Luke writes about the Annunciation of Jesus, when the angel Gabriel visits Mary to tell her God chooses her to be the mother of Jesus. This event occurs some 1,000 years after the time of David and six months after Gabriel visits Zechariah. In Luke 1:26-38 we read Mary's response to Gabriel, perplexed but willing, humble and faithful, saying, "may it be". Mary hurries to see her cousin, Elizabeth, who we know is pregnant with John the Baptist. Upon Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's baby "leaps in the womb" in recognition of Jesus in Mary's womb. (Luke 1:39-45) After Elizabeth speaks a blessing, Mary's song of gratitude is recorded. (Luke 1:46-56). Luke emphasizes relationships with people, miracles and angels, records inspired hymns of praise, and gives a prominent place to women.

The Gospel of Luke is the most universal of the four gospels, confirming that Jesus is the Savior of the whole world who draws people to Himself from every race, culture, and social status.  Essential Bible Companion

In the first two chapters of Luke, we find 4 recorded songs: Mary's song of gratitude, "The Magnificant" [Luke 1:46-56]; Zechariah's song of praise and prophecy, "The Benedictus" [Luke 1:67-79]; the Angels' song announcing the birth of Christ sung the shepherds, "Gloria in Excelsis" [Luke 2:13-14]; Simeon's song of the long awaited Messiah, "Nunc Demittis" [Luke 2:29-32]. Luke includes many details to give us creative insight into the myriad of people involved with the birth of Jesus. Luke frequently includes the marginalized, the outcasts, the overlooked and records their experiences. The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man, as the Messiah who is bringing salvation but who also identifies with all of humanity. Jesus is the Savior who sees the weak, heals the sick, and seeks the rejected. -dho

The Gospel of Luke - Part 2

Luke, a great storyteller, gives us an account that is more comprehensive than any other Gospel writer, taking us on the entire journey from John the Baptist to the gospel message reaching the capital of the Roman Empire (Luke and Acts). Scholars say that Luke gives us the most complete story of salvation in the New Testament; yet, he is not very well known to most. In telling the accounts of Jesus’ life and purpose, Luke wants people to know, “We are just like you, we seek peace and keep the law and have high morals; we are good Romans!” The message is relevant for every century.

Michael Card describes the Gospel of Luke as a “bridge”. First, we see Luke as a Literary bridge, connecting the Gospels and the Letters in the New Testament. Secondly, we can find a connection between the eyewitnesses of Jesus and those who only hear about Jesus afterwards, a generational bridge. Thirdly, Luke describes a bridge of Christian leadership, between Jesus, the one, perfect leader, and many imperfect leaders in the faith. Fourthly, we discover a bridge between the Old Testament and New Testament, a time when faith means waiting and a time when faith means following.

Only Luke includes information about the unusual circumstances surrounding the birth of John the Baptist, the annunciation to Mary, the manger, the angelic visitation to the shepherds, and the Spirit-led responses of Simeon and Anna when Jesus is presented at the Temple. In Luke 1:26-38 we read about Mary’s encounter with the angel, Gabriel. Her response to an incomprehensible circumstance is, “May it be”. She replies whatever God is planning, "May it be!". This is an attitude we, too, can adopt and still always find room to spiritually grow. In situations we do not ask for or do not understand, our hearts can join God in what He is doing, can respond with humility and faithful obedience. -dho

The Gospel of Luke - Part 1

I am currently teaching a class on the Gospel of Luke. So, I thought I would share some of this with you between now and Thanksgiving. - Donna

Luke, a traveling companion of Paul, writes the Gospel of Luke around 60 AD. While not an eyewitness of Jesus, not one of the original twelve disciples, not even Jewish, Luke’s purpose is, “To write an orderly account that you may have certainty...that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:3-4) Luke’s goal was to show that Jesus is not only the long-awaited Messiah of the Jews, but also the Savior of non-Jews. His efforts are to give a verifiable, credible, and accurate account of Jesus.

Luke, the only Gentile writer of the New Testament, is known as a physician, historian, companion, theologian, missionary, and evangelist. His keen observation skills and attention to detail give us deeper insights into circumstances and relationships. Luke stresses Jesus’ relationships with people, emphasizes prayer and miracles and angels; he records inspired hymns of praise and gives a prominent place to women. Frequently, Luke writes about the poor, the sick, the disabled, about those who society diminishes, those seen as less valuable.

The Life Application Study Bible calls the Gospel of Luke, “the most comprehensive Gospel.” John MacArthur writes, “No other writer wrote so comprehensive a history of Jesus and His impact. No other writer goes all the way from the John the Baptist to the gospel having reached the capital of the Roman Empire. He is the most complete story teller of the saga of salvation in the New Testament, and he is mostly unknown to us.” 

As we explore the Gospel of Luke, the longest Gospel and the longest book in the New Testament, let’s look for the details the writer gives, soak in the descriptive language, and consider the historical impact of the times. Hope you enjoy the journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem. - dho

Eyes Open!

God loves us; not because we are loveable but because He is love, not because He needs to receive but because He delights to give.  C.S. Lewis

How like the blind beggar we are, sitting beside the road with life passing by us every day. So often we are 'blind' to the opportunities to serve, the weariness of others, even the prayers offered for us! We miss God's goodness all around us, the gestures of love by strangers and friends; we miss the loneliness of those we know.  

Read John 9:8-12

"How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded.
[The beggar] replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." John 9:10-11

When God finds us, He offers us love; He delights to give us unconditional love. If we listen to Him and follow His instructions, our eyes are opened to His goodness and grace, to the needs around us, to the Spirit's leading. As we respond in faith, we find our hearts grow more compassionate, more loving, more giving ~ more like Him. 

Immanuel ~ God with us ~ You are with us even when we do not notice. You embrace us even when we feel unworthy. You carry us when we cannot move. You open our eyes to new possibilities. Thank You for more! Amen.  ~dho

Piece by Piece by Peace

Previously posted on Breathing Room For My Soul in October, 2013 - Donna Oswalt/dho

To choose life is to love the LORD your God, obey Him and stay close to Him. He is your life... Be strong and brave. Don't be afraid... don't be frightened, because the LORD your God will go with you.  He will not leave you or forget you...The LORD himself will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forget you. Don't be afraid and don't worry.  

Deuteronomy 30:20, 31:6,8 NCV

on our knees ~ 

We speak the Hebrew word Yahweh because it is Your covenant name, and we study Your promises to the descendants of Abraham. The ancient words recorded centuries before tell the story of humankind and all its frailties. Words translated from Hebrew tell of Moses and his obedience, tell how You always went before them, preparing the way.  

We call, LORD, because there are promises for us. The ancient words tell a living story of love and sacrifice and redemption; they tell of a new covenant ~ Christ. We choose life! Now, as then, You go before us, preparing the way.

We whisper, Adonai, for You are Lord; You are Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You are both hope and light. Your Spirit dwells within us. Lord, only through You can we be strong and brave. We long to firmly embrace You. The world entices us, even when we try to draw near to You. Sometimes our journey is not clear, the path uneven, our steps uncertain. When we cannot see, help us remember the ancient words, the living words: The LORD himself will go before you. You are the Promise that chooses us; You are the Love that embraces us. Lord, hear our simple prayers.  Amen. ~dho

What Gives My Life Meaning?

"Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is the duty of every person." Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT 


The writer of Ecclesiastes is searching for the answer that most all of us desire ~ the meaning of life. For each person, there are particular paths or callings that influence his or her choices of career, family, and community, but I believe this question reaches deeper and, if honesty prevails, becomes a common desire for all people ~ what gives my life meaning? After an exhaustive survey, the researcher in Ecclesiastes reaches a final conclusion, a universal answer to finding meaning in life: Fear God and obey His commands.

In his book, Living the Resurrection, Eugene Peterson gives insight into what demonstrates our truest Christian identity. How does one live the resurrection? He writes, "We embrace and cherish a firsthand, personal life with God and one another." Peterson explains, "we engage in a life that is permeated by the presence and companionship of the resurrected Jesus in the company of friends." The meaning of true life always comes from the Giver of Life. At the core of our being, this personal relationship refines the soul.

What gives my life meaning? It is having a personal, intimate relationship with God and growing that relationship through obedience to His Way. Living the Resurrection gives God glory and allows God's faithful to fully embrace His promise of Everlasting Life. While life will always be full of mystery and unanswered questions, God remains full of majesty and blessings. Remember, worship God, and let your obedience to Him define how living the resurrection is the greatest secret to the meaning of life! ~ dho

A Red Rose

Previously published in 2013 - dho

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. 

Proverbs 17:17 NLT

December 1963

Every autumn, every year, my heart remembers a time of personal and spiritual growth. After brain tumor surgery, my grandmother retains her abilities to comprehend situations, but can no longer verbally express herself. Recalling the summer of 1974 finds me thankful for these last months of sharing, both through tears and gestures, but always laughter was louder. Reflections of my paternal grandmother's last stage of living always bring to mind an unusual demonstration of friendship. Her friend remains faceless to me. She's just a name that I heard from time to time over the years. And, just as mysteriously, for nearly 5 months, a red rose arrived each day.

A Remnant of Love

Once long, long ago, who knows just when,

            Greetings were exchanged.

Neighbors for a while, some say, these two

            Strangers became friends.

Conversations of yester-year gone

            And unrecorded,

How I wish I could go back in time

            To find the secret

Of such enduring friendship, a gift

            Of the heart for life . . . 

Sunny skies and death, together, cast down

            Shadows on my soul.

Precious as gold, time seemed all too short;

            She would soon be gone.

Silent tears of helplessness inside;

            Laughter was louder.

Old stories retold became treasures,

            Priceless memories.

Although miles and miles apart, friendship 

            Did not notice, and

Always, a token of remembrance

            Was placed by her side.

Gentle reminder, gesture of love,

            Each day one red rose.

Only once did she speak to me of 

            Death, my constant thought.

Relentless, calloused foe of mortal

            Life claimed her spirit . . .

Her body lay empty beneath a 

            Blanket of roses.

I stood beside her grave in sorrow

            For my loss; I wept.

I remember taking one red rose,

            A final farewell.

For me it was a symbol of her

            Friend’s tender heart,

Of such enduring friendship, a gift,

            A remnant of love.

Although more than a decade has passed,

             I still think of her.

Those priceless memories come to mind

            As if time stood still.

Each year when autumn breezes whisper,

            Tears seek revival.

Beneath the sadness I remember

            Laughter was louder.

And my heart is blessed as I recall

            Her final months, when

Always, a token of remembrance

            Was placed by her side.

Gentle reminder, gesture of love, 

            Each day one red rose.

How I wish I could go back in time

            To find the secret

Of their enduring friendship, a gift 

Of the heart for life.

(written 1987, Donna Oswalt)

I wrote this poem more than a decade after her death, words eluding my emotions until then. And still, when I think of such friendship, the best definition I can think of is "each day one red rose." What an amazing heart-gift! What a demonstration of love and loyalty! The Life Application Study Bible says, "The greatest evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty." More than four decades later, I have learned this kind of friendship is extremely rare.

God never asks us to do something without having demonstrated it Himself. Jesus tells us to love one another and demonstrates this rare kind of love with His life, death and resurrection. By definition, loyalty manifests itself by devotion, honesty, sincerity and support. God models His loyalty to us though His constancy, incorruptibility, steadfastness, and truth. Genuine relationships understand the value of sharing life events; to remember the beginnings, to treasure the laughter, to honor the celebrations, to bear the disappointments, to endure the ordinary, and to love through the endings. God promises to love forever! 

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT) God's love is much more than a token of remembrance or a gesture of love. Christ's unmatched sacrifice becomes God's matchless grace. This holy gift of enduring friendship redefines loyalty's unfailing love as Perfect Love. I have learned this friendship is the rarest of all! ~ dho

Taking Notes

God wants the combination of His steady, constant calling and warm personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever He will do next. Romans 15:4 The Message

For the last fourteen years, I have consistently kept a devotional-prayer journal. It is small enough to easily take with me if necessary and fits inside a Bible. I do not necessarily write in it every day, but most days I do. Scripture, random ideas, new words, and meanings of words often find their way to the pages. Excerpts from articles, books or commentaries that effect me are also written or attached within the pages. Along the outside margin I write praises and prayers; this process reminds me and gives me a place to make notes of specific needs and outcomes. 

There is one unique entry I always include: on the first page of each notebook ~ I make note of a Scripture that helps define where I am spiritually when I start the book ~ my journey note. I often discover this to be way the Spirit leads me during this phase of my journey with Him. Occasionally, I add a quote or commentary that speaks to His Word. When the book is complete, when no more empty pages remain, I mark the front of the journal with the beginning and ending dates and begin another. Looking back I can always find a richness of God's teaching, wisdom, and leading and a deeper understanding of my struggles, successes, and relationship with God. Sometimes, the very circumstances that brought me the most discomfort reveal my most intimate times of spiritual growth with God. 

My current journal note is the above Scripture from Romans and reflects God’s desire for each of His children. In our daily journey with the Father, we should be seeking His will and purpose in life, listening for His voice to lead, and knowing His compassion as peace. We must trust God with thankful hearts ~ thankful God loves unconditionally, and trusting Him to work all things into His perfect plan. This is our HOPE! Because try as I might, I will never understand the mystery at work in all that God does. ~ dho

Pain, A Gift

Last post in the 2019 Summer Series: Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God by Mark Batterson takes us on a spiritual journey, a journey of how to listen for God and what God can reveal to us. I read this book about a year ago and am re-reading it this summer. As I share some excerpts from his writing, I hope you will be encouraged to read along. - Donna

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my groaning. Psalm 5:1

This is the last post in our Summer Series on Whisper by Mark Batterson. We conclude with the 7th language of God’s love: pain. Batterson explains, “The Bible is a book about real people with real problems who experienced real pain.” (Whisper/p 171) 

Pain can be a professor of theology.
Pain can be a marriage counselor.
Pain can be a life coach. Batterson/Whisper/p 173

Pain is real, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Pain can be a gift, exposing problems and giving perspective. Pain brings us to a place that builds endurance and perseverance. Batterson remains us to “pitch your tent in the land of hope.” (Whisper/p 180)

In conclusion, as Autumn calls us, we think back over our series this summer. Batterson says, “Whether you recognize it or not, God was the first voice in your life.” (Whisper/p 189) To hear God’s voice, whether in our busy or banal days, whether in our noisy or neutral times, we must listen for God’s whisper. Simply put, “Is [God] the loudest voice in your life?” (Whisper/p 189) - dho

Promptings from God

2019 Summer Series: Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God by Mark Batterson takes us on a spiritual journey, a journey of how to listen for God and what God can reveal to us. I read this book about a year ago and am re-reading it this summer. As I share some excerpts from his writing, I hope you will be encouraged to read along. - Donna

Your ears will hear sweet words behind you: “Go this way. There is your path; this is how you should go” whenever you must decide whether to turn to the right or the left. 
Isaiah 30:21 The Voice

The sixth language of God’s love is “promptings” according to Batterson. God’s divine timing comes when we are not paying attention and often not on our timeline. In this chapter in Whisper, we read, “Discerning the voice of God requires an internal clock that perceives His promptings. And it’s our reaction time to those promptings that leads to supernatural synchronicities: being in the right place at the right time with the right people.” (Whisper/p 148) We must continually be open to God’s promptings, alert and aware.

Promptings from God come in a variety of ways: whispers, ideas, visions, sounds, dreams, circumstances, and people to name a few. Batterson says, “The stirring of the Holy Spirit can be a feeling of restlessness...” (Whisper/p 160) We need to be open to hearing God, but when we become aware of a prompting, we must also become obedient. Ignoring God’s promptings result in missed opportunities, missed opportunities to serve God, missed opportunities to give God the glory! We are reminded to “make sure He’s the loudest voice in our lives.” (Whisper/p 167) - dho

Divine Appointments

2019 Summer Series: Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God by Mark Batterson takes us on a spiritual journey, a journey of how to listen for God and what God can reveal to us. I read this book about a year ago and am re-reading it this summer. As I share some excerpts from his writing, I hope you will be encouraged to read along. - Donna

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 NASB

Expected and unexpected people, the sign-post people God allows to cross our paths, influence our journey. From parents to adults-like-parents, siblings to friends of siblings, school teachers and Sunday School teachers, friends and almost-friends, either brief or lasting, historical or current, God uses these encounters to speak to our lives. Batterson calls this “the fifth love language of God... people.” (Whisper/ p132)

 God speaks regularly to us through the people who speak to us about the things of God. Henri Nouwen, Discernment

How frequently we forget or dismiss or overlook our many God-appointments; these are the people God sends with words of encouragement, applause for effort, signposts pointing to truth, reminders of His presence, hugs for tears. In Whisper, Mark Batterson writes, “Part of the genius of Jesus was His ability to see potential in unlikely places and unlikely people.” (Whisper/ p140)

Sign-post people offer new perspectives, ask different questions, and suggest other options. Sometimes they bring opportunities for us, like a chance to give more, to step outside ourselves, to sense another's loneliness, to hear a deeper need, to respond like Christ. God embraces us with love and encouragement but also has designed us for purpose - His purpose. God asks us to take our God-given talents, to reach out into the world, to share Jesus. 

Whether the sign-post marks the way with a stranger or friend, lasts for a season or a lifetime, comes full of mystery or simply as a reminder, God is speaking to you and me. Could it be a completely new direction, a familiar path with a new attitude, a change of location, a closer connection within a current community, a new passion, or renewed passion? "No one is in your life by accident; everyone is there by divine appointment.” (Whisper/ p142) Are we listening? Let's not miss our sign-post people! ~dho