Exodus 1:17-21 KJV
[17] But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. [18] And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? [19] And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. [20] Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. [21] And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/midwife-bible

“Our Father, who art in Heaven”

Intermittently, over the last few years, I have watched HGTV shows and Youtube videos documenting tiny homes, people who live in vans and Teslas, home makeovers, and a variety of home tours of the rich and famous.

All of them generally have the same affect on me—they make me grateful for my current home and they remind me that Jesus has told us that he is preparing places for us to “dwell” in heaven, forever.

I chafe at the translation of “dwelling” into “mansions,” not because God is not capable of building mansions, but because most mansions I have seen are not designed for the big, sprawling foster family that Jesus seems to rep for.

He kinda told one potential follower that he was homeless.

He was a carpenter but did not build himself a home.

Once, when I lived in a messy old house on the coast, I had a realization—Heaven could be pretty pared down in the “fixings” as long as the people who sat on the back porch with you were your treasures.

We are God’s treasure. He longs to spend time with us and he rewards those who long to spend time with him.

He is who is in heaven

He makes his art there, and I have little doubt that heaven will amaze us.

Those who long for it, as they long for him, will find it oddly familiar—a place full of comfort, “for the healing of the nations.”

Dad wants all his kiddos to come home, so he makes a place for them.

Zechariah 9:9,12,14,16 KJV
[9] Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. [12] Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; [14] And the Lord shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. [16] And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.

Be ready.

I think there is a reason why she has been distilled into

A pixelated figure (on fire)

Surely I cannot be the only one who has grieved for the

Deep sleeper,

Someone’s daughter

Burning with the door open,

Why in hell was the door open

Yet

…she dies alone

https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-commutes-death-row-sentences-37-inmates-full-list-revealed-life-prison-no-parole-2005010

It may seem too hard to research each name on this list and read their stories, but it is worth the time.

We need to figure out how to grieve with the victims and their families.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/former-federal-prosecutor-death-row-case-speaks-biden-commuting-murderers-sentence-my-heart-aches

From one of my favorite artists and animators—

Each day has 1440 minutes

Make them count

Matthew 21:28-30 KJV
[28] But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. [29] He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. [30] And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/scottsboro-boys

I have read TKM countless times. When I was younger, I would read it around once a year.

I also studied Alabama history in the 4th grade. I do not believe the curriculum included mention of the Scottsboro Boys.

It has always bothered me that Tom ran and then was shot, not because it is implausible, but because it is a cheap way out for Harper.

I want a sequel in which Jem lives, Scout and Dill confront their personal demons, and Atticus doggedly pursues appeals for Tom.

To the Supreme Court, if needs be…

Matthew 22:1-14 KJV
[1] And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, [2] The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, [3] And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. [4] Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. [5] But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: [6] And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. [7] But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. [8] Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. [9] Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. [10] So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. [11] And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: [12] And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. [13] Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [14] For many are called, but few are chosen.

Consider reading this not as one continuous parable, but as several. How would it look if each verse was a parable?