There’s a connection my brain is trying to make with the Lord’s Prayer. The prayer as a whole seems a concentration of all the things that are true, each line containing something infinitely profound. Taken together, these lines draw us close to the edge of something unfathomable and altogether spectacular. It’s too much for me.Continue reading “On Earth as in Heaven”
Author Archives: Valerie Hobbs
The Three Ascensions
The powerful prophet Elijah is a punchy character in God’s story, and I can’t stop thinking about him. In 2 Kings 1:8, King Ahaziah’s men describe him as “a hairy man with a leather girdle bound about his loins”. Maybe I have a thing for hairy loners? Maybe I find Elijah so compelling because thisContinue reading “The Three Ascensions”
King and Queen of Vegetables
In 1 Kings 21, Ahab the anti-Christ sees Naboth’s vineyard and his wandering eye wants it (Prov 30:17). But Naboth won’t surrender his family’s land inheritance, and Ahab sulks, sullen and sour. This petulent king wants what another man has, but he doesn’t even know a good thing when he sees it. No, he wantsContinue reading “King and Queen of Vegetables”
Choose This Day
The stories of the Bible contain meanings that take more than a lifetime to understand, and their riches are worth the readings and the rigour. But the Bible also offers us many moments of intense clarity, when God cuts to the heart of the matter for us, when He unambiguously articulates what we need toContinue reading “Choose This Day”
The Raven and the Dove
There’s a whirlwind in my mind most days now. Images and ideas appear and disappear, things that can’t quite be seen or put into words. I never know quite when or if or what will settle. It’s a restless space of both knowing and not knowing, being filled up and wanting to be filled again.Continue reading “The Raven and the Dove”
Troublers of Israel
I love the plain-spoken prophets, bold and blunt, unsettlers of powerful people. For instance, when King Ahab of Israel finally sees the prophet Elijah, that elusive truth-teller he’s been hunting high and low, he says, wearily, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” But of course Elijah isn’t the real troublemaker. It’s Ahab, and ElijahContinue reading “Troublers of Israel”
Iron and Rock
Along with my favs – grapes and hair – I’ve been tracking rocks and iron. So imagine my joy when I came across this text in 1 Kings, when Solomon builds the Temple. The stones used in the construction of the Temple were finished at the quarry, so there was no sound of hammer, ax,Continue reading “Iron and Rock”
Clouds without Water
Job’s friends are THE WORST. If you want an example of false teachers and phony friends, look no further. I mean, really, Eliphaz. Can you get more sanctimonious, more holier-than-thou. You’re that loveless lip-purser we’ve all come across (Proverbs 25:14). The one who is all like, how stupid are you, Job? I’m doing ok, soContinue reading “Clouds without Water”
Behold the Clouds of Heaven
“I kept looking in the night visions,And behold, with the clouds of heavenOne like a Son of Man was coming,And He came up to the Ancient of DaysAnd was presented before Him.Daniel 7:13 Sometimes, and lately in particular, when I am reading the Bible or just sitting and puzzling over a text, something catches the cornerContinue reading “Behold the Clouds of Heaven”
Tomorrow’s Bread, Today
The Lord’s Prayer Our Father which art in heaven,(1.1) Hallowed be thy name. (1.2) Thy kingdom come. (1.3) Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. ⭐ Give us this day our daily bread. ⭐(3.3) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (3.2) And lead us not into temptation,Continue reading “Tomorrow’s Bread, Today”
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