Although his date of birth is unknown, Pontius Pilate was born Marcus Pontius Pilates to the Pontii clan in central Italy. He was the prefect or governor of Judea during the reign of the Emperor Tiberius. We know little more than that. But much of what we do know comes from the Bible, which portraysContinueContinue reading “Pontius Pilate: A Character Sketch”
Category Archives: Faith
The Right Prayer
Prayer. What is it? Yes, we know that it’s conversing with our Lord. But what is it, really? Does it need words? Can it have emotions? How should we do it, and what should we expect from it? Prayer. What is it? Yes, we know that it’s a conversation with our Lord. But what isContinueContinue reading “The Right Prayer”
A Shepherd’s Life in Bible Times
Shepherding is one of the oldest human occupations, second only to gardening and farming. It played a crucial role in biblical times. Sheep were central to the economy and religious life of Israel. And the contribution shepherds made, though invaluable, was often overlooked or undervalued. Abel was the first in the Bible to keep sheep.ContinueContinue reading “A Shepherd’s Life in Bible Times”
Embracing Life’s Winter
I’m thankful that I no longer live in the land of always winter – that was my home state of Michigan. (At least that’s how it often seemed!) Always winter, but with Christmas! I much prefer southern Italy, where winters are mild and the rare snow melts quickly. Only in our distant mountains does itContinueContinue reading “Embracing Life’s Winter”
These Hard Times: Time to Reset?
At the risk of sounding like a doomsday prophet I’d say that difficult times are upon us and bound to get worse. Financial woes, unstable governments, pandemics, alarming Great Resets, crumbling values. There are also existential threats to health and the environment, according to experts. Indeed, on our summer treks people everyone everywhere spoke ofContinueContinue reading “These Hard Times: Time to Reset?”
Faith Lessons From the Olive Tree
Olives and olive trees played an influential role in Bible times and in Scripture. They furnished food, ointment, illumination, heat, and an essential ingredient for making soap. The evergreen tree is a remarkable tree! It has an extensive root system which enables it to withstand wind, heat, and drought. And in its native arid andContinueContinue reading “Faith Lessons From the Olive Tree”