We watched an amazing ballet production of the Exodus last week. Our granddaughters both danced and worshiped with the cast of performers (at varied levels of dance expertise).

Every one of the dancers was wonderfully prepared to bring praise to God in a heartfelt display of this powerful reenactment of the first Passover celebration. BibleHub

Our hearts were touched as the entire audience gave a standing ovation. I felt a sob catch in my breath during the opening scene depicting bondage to sin. The melancholy voice of one William Jessup choir student, reverberated with an authentic Hebraic sound as she wailed in the midst of the dancers.

Our youngest granddaughter was chosen as part of the three dancers to bring the hyssop (representing the blood of the lamb), which was applied to the doorposts of each Hebrew slave’s home. This act of faith in YHWH (I AM) set them apart from the Egyptian households, who bowed allegiance to Pharaoh. Pharaoh believed himself to be god of his people and over all others.

In New Testament (Covenant) language: our childlike faith in the Father’s provision through the blood of His Son, Christ Jesus the LORD, delivers us out of bondage to sin and death. #lambofGod

What rejoicing occurred in the final scene depicting their successful crossing of the Red Sea. As they all jumped up and down in jubilation, the smiles on each dancer’s face (both child and young adult) became a unified expression of love for God. They poured out soulfully (especially the young man portraying Moses). #humility

Our hope of beginning anew comes from the One who rose again. -Teresa

Numbers 33:1-4 (ESV)

Recounting Israel’s Journey

33 These are the stages of the people of Israel, when they went out of the land of Egypt by their companies under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. ² Moses wrote down their starting places, stage by stage, by command of the Lord, and these are their stages according to their starting places. ³ They set out from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month. On the day after the Passover, the people of Israel went out triumphantly in the sight of all the Egyptians, ⁴ while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom the Lord had struck down among them. On their gods also the Lord executed judgments.

At my 45th class reunion recently, I told a friend about my vision for the generations to come: why can’t we build something to pass down. I mean something as good as, or better than, the “small town” elders built for us when we were kids?

I was referring to the brick building that served as a high school for 7th-12th graders. It was not just the structure that was well built, but the teachers who were hired that had top notch skills- producing capable professionals in many fields. (The Finnish culture excels at math, science, sports, music, practical skills such as sewing and wood shop, loving nature and community events)! #YooP

More important than earning a living, was building a safe community that supported all ages and peoples. #healthandwellness

Somewhere between melting pot vs. cultural mosaic, the small town Midwest culture at that time (and in my mind’s memory) was about perfect.

Today, affluence and mind-numbing scrolling addictions have not served our children well. Something has happened culturally, where appearance and facade has become more important than structural quality (even the ability to use our hands to build something). We have “virtual” buildings and outward appearances but character qualities that are required for healthy communities are rare gems.

Destroying others with words is not hard, it may actually come easily to us when our emotions flare up. But…if we use our emotions to shed light on our spiritual beliefs, then we may gain insights and knowledge. #trustGodatHisword

Not allowing “knowledge” to puff us up (I Corinthians 8:1-3) but to deliver us from wrong thinking means we can also defeat our wicked mouths. #liesoftheheart

We are able to invest and build when we recognize the importance of changed hearts. Without God’s help, our society will be divided and conquered by many different appetites. #nosatisfaction

Father, help me to take a reading on my emotional climate today. I want to walk in your truth and join you in building Your kingdom come and Your will be done. -Teresa

Proverbs 11:9-11English Standard Version

⁹ With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
    but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
¹⁰ When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
    and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
¹¹ By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

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Proverbs 10Proverbs 12

English Standard Version (ESV)

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Food Offered to Idols

[1] Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. [2] If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. [3] But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

Do I truly believe that God’s way protects those who live with integrity? #honestlyseekHim

God’s way …for those devoted to wickedness (rejecting His salvation)… means destruction. #freechoice

To remain “in Christ” means abiding as peacefully as a fruitful branch in the vine. For without God’s life we are spiritually dead.

If I give myself over to man’s approval, then I may never experience “true life” (it’s like a branch separated from the vine). #fruitless

Lord, will you show us your glory? For we need You. -Teresa

Proverbs 10:29-30New Living Translation

²⁹ The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity,
    but it destroys the wicked.

³⁰ The godly will never be disturbed,
    but the wicked will be removed from the land.

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New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

John 12:44-50 ESV) (bold added for emphasis)

Jesus Came to Save the World

[44] And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. [45] And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. [46] I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. [47] If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. [48] The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. [49] For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. [50] And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

We also watched the 2022 film last night, “The Case for Heaven” by Lee Strobel. It was impactful and beautiful. When you want to be challenged in your ideas about an afterlife, see what a former investigative journalist from the Chicago Tribune can reveal. The most impactful was one man’s description of “hell” before he woke up from a near-death experience. What was most beautiful was Strobel’s wife. She says the only person she ever led to Christ was her husband. What a love story of true devotion and sacrifice.