photo credit: JWNOWSIn Romans 4:17b Paul writes of Abraham, “He is our father in the sight of God in whom he believed – the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” 1. “The God who gives life to the dead” – Resurrection 2. “Calls things that are not as though they were” – Creation In this verse, both resurrection and creation exist in the context of the promises of God. Specifically “gives life to the dead” refers to Abraham’s old body and Sarah’s dead womb (v. 19). “calls things that are not as though they were” is the name God…

Lectio divina, or the art of sacred reading, has been around a very, very long time. It means a slow and contemplative praying of the Bible, which very soon allows God to touch our hearts with His Word. Reading (lectio) Bible study and reading through the Bible are necessary disciplines to grow as a Christian. But lectio divina is neither a study nor a methodical reading through of the Bible. In lectio, you very slowly read a passage of Scripture in order to hear what God is staying to you in a still, still, small voice (I Kings 19:12). Sometimes God can talk very loudly! But more often he speaks…