Unclean! Unclean!
Perhaps the most dreaded disease in biblical times was leprosy. The disease started with the extremities, eating away at fingers and toes, ears and nose. Worse yet, having leprosy meant…
Thanks, Dad
During World War II, young Wayne Watkins served as a soldier in lands far away. It was a challenging time for the men of our country and equaling difficult for…
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner!
Matthew the tax collector [last two posts] sets up his booth beside the Sea of Galilee ready to collect. But on one particularly day, the teacher he has been watching…
A Tax Collector – Yikes!
No one cares for tax collectors whether they're Roman or American. But at least in America, our tax dollars grant us fire and police protection, roadway updates, etc. Not so…
Who Are the Twelve?
Today, let's key in on "the twelve." In churcheeze, the 12 refers to Jesus' twelve apostles. Anyone care to name them all? Get out the old children's chorus books. Maybe…
From Struggle to Victory
After the calling, came the doing (see last week's post). It required a lot of pray, a mountain of research, and endless writing. After a couple of years, I had…
The Rest of the Story
After living with the word "Write!" for awhile (see last week's post), I began a study of the book of Matthew for several months. I found myself attracted to the…
Write, Joyce!
How was it that I came to be a writer? Why is it that any of us write? We write to communicate. We write to make to-do lists. We…
On the Road to Emmaus
Before we leave the cross and the resurrection, let's take a look at two followers who had been in Jerusalem, experienced the crucifixion, and heard from the women that, not…
Do You Love Me More Than These?
My husband Jim had been serving for several years as Minister of Music at our church. The chairman of a search committee called from another state and wanted us…