Genesis 29-30 ; Psalm 9:7-12 ; Matthew 11:16-30 "Hot Flashcube" © by Eric C. Stricker - Original Oil on Canvas Our readings today reveal how prone we are – as human beings – to take matters into our own hands and then attempt to manipulate or to shape the outcomes to our own selfish advantage. This situation is especially true when things don’t go our way. As Genesis 29 opens, things seem to be going Jacob’s way, but not for long. In chapter 28, at the stairway to heaven

Genesis 27-28 ; Psalm 9:1-6 ; Matthew 10:32–11:15 "Maria-Enzersdorf Roses" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Colored Pencil on Paper Today in Genesis 27, we read about Jacob’s deception of Esau. Sin lies at the heart of all deception, and because we are all sinners, therefore we are all either the subject or the object of some form of deception. Deception has a sinister partner – lying. Back in the Garden of Eden, sin entered into the world through lies and deception wh

Genesis 25-26 ; Proverbs 1:20-33 ; Matthew 10:1-31 "Hochschwarzwald" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Acrylic on Canvas In Genesis 25-26, we come now to the death of Abraham. The first book of the Bible, Genesis, is all about beginnings , but after reading halfway through the book, we realize that Genesis also has a lot to say about endings – in particular – about death . The theme of death runs rampant throughout this book. God is reminding us to pay close attention t

Genesis 24 ; Psalm 8 ; Matthew 9:14-38 "Flowers With Onion Still Life: © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Watercolor on Paper Once again, today’s passages are filled with biblical principles and applications for our lives. The multi-layered story about Isaac and Rebekah is recognized among literary experts as a compelling love-story – one of the best – in all of literature. Here, it biblically and beautifully portrays God’s sovereignty and exemplifies His plan to redeem an

Genesis 21-23 ; Psalm 7:10-17 ; Matthew 8:23–9:13 "Am Bodensee, II" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper Today we come to some key points in the life of Abraham in Genesis 21-23. Here we see that God makes good on His promise to Abraham and Sarah regarding the birth of their son, Isaac. We read that, “He did for Sarah what He promised – at the very time He had promised” (verses 1-2). God always keeps His promises and His Word. In this chapter, we se

Genesis 19-20 ; Psalm 7:6-9 ; Matthew 7:24–8:22 "Am Bodensee, I" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper In Genesis 19, we now observe two angels who arrive in Sodom to visit Lot in his home. We see the evil and the iniquity of this city – the spiritual blindness – and the horrible perversions which could only be obviated by striking Sodom’s wicked men with physical blindness to hold them at bay and keep them from finding their prey. At first, we wonder

Genesis 17-18 ; Proverbs 1:8-19 ; Matthew 6:25–7:23 "A Friend" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper We come today to Genesis 17-18 where we see God’s covenant with Abram and His promise of a son who will become God’s instrument to make Abraham the father of many nations (verse 3). God initiates name changes to reflect this new, very personal relationship with Him. This relationship includes circumcision, which will be the “sign of the covenant” (verse