Alex Haley’s book ROOTS includes a scene in which an African tribal leader expresses shock over any child unable to recite from memory his genealogy to the tenth generation. I have never met anyone in America that can recite from memory ten generations of their genealogy. I can’t do it. In fact, my written recordContinue reading “What if You Have No Family Tree? Nehemiah 7:61-65.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
MONEY! Finance, Bankruptcy Protection, and the Economy. Nehemiah 5:1-11.
THESIS: Nations hoping to bless people and grow the economy should draft laws that (1) help small businesses thrive, create jobs, and earn a profit for shareholders, (2) protect the nation from war and protect its citizens from crime, (3) use courts to protect the sanctity of contract and resolve conflicts between people and businesses,Continue reading “MONEY! Finance, Bankruptcy Protection, and the Economy. Nehemiah 5:1-11.”
Civil Engineering: All Hands on Deck! Nehemiah 3:1-31.
Image: Golden Gate Bridge by Joseph C. Filer and Jason W. Filer. Many of the biggest projects on earth are civil engineering projects. The Great Pyramid at Giza is the height of a fifty-story building and built out of “bricks” that weigh 5,000 pounds. How did they do that in 2560 B.C.? The Great WallContinue reading “Civil Engineering: All Hands on Deck! Nehemiah 3:1-31.”
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem: A Primer on Conflicts in the Middle East. Zechariah 10:6-10.
This morning I watched a video compilation of protestors. They were screaming, “Death to Israel” and “Heil Hitler!” Young women were shaking their fists and saying Hitler did not go far enough. Small children were saying they want to grow up and kill Jews. An old woman was screaming and spitting, shouting at Jewish passersby,Continue reading “Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem: A Primer on Conflicts in the Middle East. Zechariah 10:6-10.”
The Lord Looks on Your Heart (and Your Actions!). Zechariah 7:5-10.
“Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” 1 Samuel 16:7. What matters more, your actions or the heart behind those actions? Is it really the thought that counts? Sometimes, the action counts for a great deal, does it not? Can the father who never spends time with his childrenContinue reading “The Lord Looks on Your Heart (and Your Actions!). Zechariah 7:5-10.”
Learn More About Heaven and its People by Reading the Old Testament Prophets. Zechariah 6:1-8.
When God created the universe, He made so much more than this planet and the plant, animal, and human life on it. In addition to the observable, material universe—stars, planets, and things we can see, God filled His creation with an even more-real dimension of life that those of us in the material world cannotContinue reading “Learn More About Heaven and its People by Reading the Old Testament Prophets. Zechariah 6:1-8.”
No Written Records? Close the Deal and Slap the Children: Ezra 6:1-2.
Imagine a world without writing. People simply talk. They make promises. They shake hands. When the matter is really important, they employ rituals to ensure that everyone remembers. In pre-literate England, the sale of real estate included an elaborate ritual: go to town and round up a couple of little boys, then go to theContinue reading “No Written Records? Close the Deal and Slap the Children: Ezra 6:1-2. “
Reading Prophecy? There is Help Available! Zechariah 5:1-4.
Bible stories come in a variety of genres. The easiest to read are the parables crafted by the Master Teacher, fables illustrating spiritual truths: the Prodigal Son, the Farmer Planting Seed, the Pearl of Great Price, the Lost Coin, the Ten Virgins. Slightly more difficult to read are the historical records of actual events, suchContinue reading “Reading Prophecy? There is Help Available! Zechariah 5:1-4.”
Lord, Teach Us to Fast. Ezra 8:21,23.
Every Sunday morning my father doled out an allowance to me of $3.50. I then put two quarters into an envelope for the offering plate. The envelopes (similar to the one pictured) were pre-printed with boxes to check off. As a child, I could not check all the boxes, but they reminded me of theContinue reading “Lord, Teach Us to Fast. Ezra 8:21,23.”
The King’s Heart. Ezra 1:1.
Sometimes I am impatient in prayer. Sometimes I wonder why it seems to take so long for God to answer, or whether He is listening at all. But God is listening. God is sovereign. God is in control and seated on His throne. And sometimes—in His mercy—He encourages me with signs that He does indeedContinue reading “The King’s Heart. Ezra 1:1.”
Household Words: 