If we think of the history of humanity as a tapestry with repeating patterns, we can clearly envision a world where biblical history connects to our own present age circumstances. In other words, as the writer of Ecclesiastes observes: “there is nothing new under the sun.” And so it is with a world at war, …
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WE were there! The Story of the Women at the Cross
INTRODUCTION “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” This is the question raised in the Negro spiritual of the same song title: “Were you there?” The answer to this disturbing question is “Yes!” Yes, WE were there. The women were there., and as equally fascinating is who was NOT. Therefore, let us consider this …
The Overshadowing Assignment – The Story of Mary
INTRODUCTION Each Christmas season, just like the fragile holiday ornaments we boxed up until December and gently pull down from shelves, we reconsider the story of Mary, as if her life were a nativity offering. Tragically, it is a HUGE mistake that we approach Mary’s narrative like “The Night Before Christmas,” as if her story …
God as The Womb, part 2
INTRODUCTION While we often are prompted to think of the formation of Scripture as linear, from the first book that appears in the Old Testament canon (Genesis), to the last book of the New Testament (Revelation), students of the Bible know better. The Holy Script was not written in order of the way the books …
Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine – The Story of Job’s Wife
INTRODUCTION It is not surprising that the brilliant work of the “Stages of Grief” was created by a woman. In 1969, a woman named Elisabeth Kubler-Ross introduced to the world a book, “On Death and Dying. Her seminal work with patients, gave voice and methodology as to how physicians and therapists would assist in healing …
Carrying “The Race” on our Backs and The Story of the Women of Isaiah, Chapter 3
INTRODUCTION Ask any Black person of a certain age what it means to “carry The Race on their back,” and you will receive a definitive answer with little to no hesitation. Being Black and of a certain age is to understand and to experience this unfortunate and stress filled phenomenon. Race responsibility, i.e., the notion …
Commissioned to Serve – The Story of Mary of Bethany
“Every woman has a story AND every woman’s story matters to God.” INTRODUCTION In the world of theology and the Church, the Lenten experience is the centerpiece celebration of Christianity. In many Christian churches during the calendar year, the women’s narratives of Scripture are either ignored, dismissed, or rarely preached; however, writing out the …
“Ain’t Nobody Gonna Turn Me Around – The Story of Rizpah”
INTRODUCTION Each year as we celebrate Women’s History Month, we should be keenly aware of the intersection between this celebration and the Lenten experience. If ever the women’s narratives of Scripture were pushed to the fore, it is within the 40 day period which the Church calls Lent. The women of the Cross, anointing Jesus’ …
The Warrior Pose – The Story of Jael
“Every Woman has a story AND Every Woman’s story matters to God.” – Tabitha’s Daughters, LLC INTRODUCTION When we enter into the Old Testament, as we often do, we are accustomed to the stories of warriors, conquerors, and those who fought hard on behalf of God: Moses, King David, Joshua, Caleb, Gideon, Samson, and more. …