Desperate Joy

  Photo by JÉSHOOTS "For everyone that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."   - Hebrews 5:13-14 Small plastic bowls and containers are difficult to come by in prison, so I will look for containers I can reuse or repurpose. In the commissary here they sell small tubs of sliced jalapenos and when I have used up all the jalapenos, I will pour out the vinegar and jalapeno juice and wash the bowl out to reuse for other things. The problem is that when I pour out the jalapeno juice, the flavor and the aroma of the jalapenos lingers in the plastic. This essence of jalapeno will then infuse whatever I put in the bowl, and often leave my whole locker smelling of jalapenos. Eventually this essence of jalapeno washes or wears out, and the container is much more useful. We live in the world with its ...

  Photo by Benyamin Bohlouli on Unsplash More than 700 years before Christ was born, Ahaz was king of Judah. The Prophet Isaiah delivered a difficult message to him, because of Judah's great sin and rebellion against God, they would be taken captive by the Assyrians and the land would be left desolate. But Isaiah also had a message of hope. Under Divine inspiration he told Ahaz to ask God for a sign. Ahaz refused, and here is how Isaiah responded (Isaiah 7:14-16), "Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings." This is one of the most clear and profound prophesies about the birth of Jesus Christ. Even though Ahaz was looking forward to some terrible days...