Steven Wales

Words.

Could there be anything more powerful than words? Seriously. Imagine one day without words—neither hearing them nor speaking them. And no reading and writing. Imagine school if language did not exist. How would we teach anyone anything? What if our whole existence were gestures and rudimentary signs (sign language WITHOUT words or letters). Imagine theContinue reading “Words.”

History’s Only Talking Animal

So you think you know the Bible? You’re familiar with Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, the Exodus, and the life of Jesus. But can you locate the only talking animal in the history of the world? Sure, animals talk in fables and the tales of Uncle Remus and Disney movies. But when did an animalContinue reading “History’s Only Talking Animal”

Parable: An Old Testament Dream Sequence.

Five verses in the book of Numbers tell a story I’ve always found puzzling. Snakes? Really? I spent an hour trying to explain it in a typical, straightforward way. But in a dream, it makes sense somehow… *** I’m a skeptical professor up late preparing for a debate about faith. I’m reading the Gospels, ponderingContinue reading “Parable: An Old Testament Dream Sequence.”

Snakes on a Pole.

Snakes are not high on most people’s list of beloved animals. (Imagine trying to sell a litter of baby snakes on Craigslist.) Their popularity as pets will never rival that of cats and dogs. They are not affectionate, their babies are not cute—nothing about snakes is attractive. Even non-venomous snakes are widely hated. My dadContinue reading “Snakes on a Pole.”

Balaam. Numbers 22-24, 31.

“POSITION WANTED—professional speaker of blessings and curses available to enhance your event or destroy your enemies. If you are launching a business, planting a vineyard, or starting a family, call me. I will bless your enterprise. PROVEN RESULTS! Check out my online reviews. I will curse your enemies! Nations fall at my words. I mustContinue reading “Balaam. Numbers 22-24, 31.”

ALWAYS … Stay Humble.

Moses’s name indicates he was chosen by God from birth. He was the Deliverer. A “beautiful” baby. Educated in the ways of Egypt. Trained in the desert 40 years. Saw the burning bush. Defeated Pharaoh with plagues. Worked numerous miracles. Parted the Red Sea. Was given the Ten Commandments. Led Israel in the wilderness. BuiltContinue reading “ALWAYS … Stay Humble.”

Surprise! Your Work is a Gift.

As a child, I was sometimes surprised by negative attitudes adults had about work. First, there were the Garfield cartoons everywhere: “I hate Mondays!” Then in the lunchroom, there was a calendar on the wall in the serving line and at the end of every day a cafeteria worker would put a huge “X” throughContinue reading “Surprise! Your Work is a Gift.”

What is That to You?

Jesus told Peter he would be martyred one day, and Peter said, “What about John?” Jesus answered, “Even if John survives till My return, what is that to you? You follow Me!” John 21:18-22. Do you get the point? What God asks of one believer has no impact on another believer. “What is that toContinue reading “What is That to You?”

The Gift of Work. Numbers 18:7.

People sometimes think God cursed us by making us work. As evidence, they cite Genesis 3:17-19, wherein God tells Adam he will have to work the ground and it will give him thorns and thistles, and “by the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread.” However, Adam’s work was NOT part of theContinue reading “The Gift of Work. Numbers 18:7.”

Moses: Man of the Wasteland. Deuteronomy 34.

I was raised in a palace by a princess. Pharaoh was a grandfather to me. I ate the best foods, studied with the best tutors, owned toys and tools of the highest quality. I learned the sword and bow from the best. I spoke multiple languages, and wrote the first five books of the Bible.Continue reading “Moses: Man of the Wasteland. Deuteronomy 34.”