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Scripture Reflections

Questioning the Questioners

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Jesus’s Prophetic Pedagogy of the Heart

by Dee Ann Loving-Tackitt

Rome – The fresco of Jesus teaching in the church Santa Maria in Monticelli 

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.” John 13:13

Jesus is asked many questions in the Gospels; he rarely answers any of them directly. Some may see Jesus as cleverly evading the questioner. Yet I argue that Jesus’s “questioning questioners” is His vital teaching tool to awaken and involve his listeners in spiritual formation. In this context, Jesus typically responds to questions with another question, either through an indirect claim or a specific revelatory aim. Always! Jesus reframes the terms of a pressing topic and sheds light on his interlocutors’ root motives and spiritually compromised perspectives.

In John 13:13, Jesus tells his disciples, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am” (cf. Matt 23:10; 26:18). As a teacher, Jesus adopts different teaching styles for formative reasons. As God anointed, Jesus speaks and embodies the message of God’s reign. He aligns with the prophets of Israel’s past, including John, his immediate predecessor. Jesus seeks to heal and to reveal. Divine revelation aims to open and purify the heart before God. This prepares people to receive God’s Torah written on their hearts (Jer. 31:33). The new covenant transforms the heart from within, and this transformation lies at the center of faithful living.

The Teacher of the Coming Kingdom

To be specific, we must set forth the “givens” of Jesus as a teacher from the context of His ministry and mission. First, Jesus came to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom of God. Second, He is to make disciples, to “seek and save the lost”; “to give His life as a ransom for many”; “to save sinners”; “to save the sick”; and to do all this by summoning His hearers to metanoia, which means calling forth repentance before the coming of the reign of God. To fulfill this goal, Jesus is willing to say to His own disciples what He also said to those who approach, question, and dispute with Him. Therefore, Jesus clearly accepts and even promotes an environment conducive to dialogue, questioning, and discussion.

The Prophet of the Heart

As a theologian, I am quick to point out that Jesus does not have educational exchanges to get the facts. He debates to fulfill God’s will. He exposes and shapes the listener’s core desires, assumptions, and perspectives. Jesus is NOT willing to engage a question directly when the basic question and exchange have already been molded to be anti-kingdom. Jesus’s pedagogy is not aimed at the heart to access commitments, intentions, desires, and core thoughts. Jesus grappled with reason to access the heart for the Kingdom. Jesus is fiercely consistent, whether in response to a question or a straightforward demand. In Luke 12:13–14 (NIV), someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replies, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Rather than simply saying, “No, I won’t do that,” Jesus’s question functions as a claim: why are you trying to use me or manipulate me to resolve your family’s financial dispute? In Luke 12, Jesus confronts greed, worry, and conflict over material security as crucial issues that can obstruct sincere acceptance of proclamation. This is, however, just one instance of Jesus questioning the nature of one’s actions to address a broader, perennial challenge to entering the way of the kingdom. Jesus ultimately seeks to reveal and transform a person’s bedrock desires and intentions so they may see and enter the way of God’s reign. Shalom.

Heavenly Father,

Today, we choose to pay close attention to wisdom and listen intently to understanding. Help us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean ONLY on your understanding. In all our ways, may we acknowledge Jesus. And we ask you to direct our paths. We ask you to remove our proud hearts so that we can trust in You. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen

Holy Week

Stonecroft Ministry Reflections

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As I take my final remaining class in my doctoral studies at Liberty University and step into a new season of tutoring students there, I find myself in a moment of transition before beginning dissertation work. In the middle of all of that, what feels most like a gift is this—being invited into a circle of women right here in Lubbock. And what a gift! Also, we recently joined First Baptist Lubbock and have found fellowship in a Sunday School Class; Wednesday Prime Timers Choir,lunch, & Bible study; and Sunday Morning Choir! God is good! Bernie and I are joyful and blessed!

We were never meant to walk this journey of faith alone. God created us for fellowship, for encouragement, and for shared purpose. So to sit at a table surrounded by women who love the Lord and desire to share Him with others feels like a true blessing. And I can already tell—I am going to love being part of this group. It truly was a privilege to sit at a Stonecroft planning table—right beside Joyful Gwen (and if you know her, you know that name fits). There was laughter, purpose, and something deeper stirring underneath it all—the unmistakable sense that God is moving through women who are simply willing to say yes. I didn’t just leave encouraged; I left curious.

So I did what I tend to do. I came straight home, opened my laptop, poured myself a cup of coffee, and started digging. Tomorrow I’ll step into their Evangelism Bootcamp, and soon after that I’ll be teaching the “I Believe” Bible study. One of the sweet gifts of this journey is that I won’t be stepping into it alone. Sherry, who serves so faithfully in the prayer ministry of our local Stonecroft group, will get off work at five and come over to my home. Together, we’ll settle into the podcast room from 6:00 to 7:30 as we watch the Bootcamp, asking the Lord not only to prepare us for the work ahead, but to fill this home with His peace and presence. My prayer is that even in that quiet evening, He will meet us, steady us, and gently bless Sherry with peace after her workday.

I don’t walk into things casually anymore. I walk in prayerfully, thoughtfully, and grounded in Scripture, so I needed to understand clearly: who is Stonecroft, really?

A Movement, Not Just a Ministry

What I discovered is that Stonecroft is not just a program or a Bible study—it truly is a movement. For over 85 years, God has used this ministry to reach women in quiet but powerful ways, not through grand platforms but through tables, conversations, and relationships.

Hundreds of thousands of women have been equipped to share Jesus right where they are, and each year more than 1,700 women make decisions to follow Christ. Those are simply the numbers we know. That’s the beauty of how the Kingdom often works—not loudly or visibly to the world, but steadily and deeply fruitful in the lives of people.

What Anchors Stonecroft Ministries

As I read through their core values, I realized I wasn’t just learning about an organization; I was recognizing alignment with what God has already placed on my heart.

Stonecroft is Christ-centered, keeping Jesus at the center of everything. Their commitment to biblical authority reflects a deep trust that the Word of God is not just informative but transformative through the work of the Holy Spirit. Their emphasis on prayer reminds me that nothing of eternal value happens apart from dependence on God. Their call to evangelism is joyful and intentional, not forced but obedient to Christ’s command to share the Gospel. Their relational focus reflects how ministry truly grows—through grace-filled connection—and their commitment to integrity ensures that everything they do reflects the character of Christ.

Reading this, I found myself quietly saying, “Yes, Lord.” This is the kind of ministry that doesn’t just gather women; it equips them to go.

From Sitting to Sharing

Stonecroft gently bridges a gap, giving women opportunities to serve. They don’t simply teach women the Gospel; they train women to share it. They create spaces where women can invite friends who may have never opened a Bible before, making the message of Jesus accessible and welcoming. It is simple, relational, and intentional, and it reflects the very heart of the Gospel itself.

Around Tables… Just Like the Beginning

What moved me deeply is how Stonecroft began—not in a building or a pulpit, but around a table. A small group gathered with a simple question about how to get to heaven, and that conversation sparked something that multiplied.

From that one moment, prayer groups grew, communities formed, and lives were changed. It feels familiar because it mirrors the way Jesus ministered. So much of His work happened in homes, at tables, and in personal conversation. That same pattern is still alive today.

Rooted in Scripture: This Is Not New

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… Every day they continued to meet together… They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” — Acts 2:42, 46

As I sat and reflected, I realized something both comforting and powerful—what Stonecroft is doing is not new. It is deeply biblical. The early church met in homes, around tables, sharing meals, opening Scripture, and praying together. Their faith was not distant or formal; it was woven into everyday life and relationships.

This same pattern stretches even further back. In Deuteronomy 6:6–7, God’s people are instructed to talk about His Word in the rhythms of daily living—while sitting at home, walking along the road, lying down, and rising up. Faith was never meant to stay inside a structured setting. It was meant to be lived out and shared naturally in the spaces of everyday life. That is exactly what I see in the heart of Stonecroft—women inviting other women into conversations where the Word of God becomes real and personal.

Called to Go: The Heart of Evangelism

Jesus gives us a clear and compelling call in Matthew 28:19–20 to “go and make disciples.” Not just to learn, but to go. Not just to receive, but to share. Stonecroft lives in that calling, equipping women to confidently and lovingly share the Gospel, trusting the Holy Spirit to do the transforming work in hearts.

Paul reinforces this in 2 Timothy 2:2, where he speaks of entrusting the truth to faithful people who will then teach others. This is discipleship that multiplies. It is truth passed from life to life, generation to generation. That is exactly what happens when women gather in small groups, study Scripture together, and begin to grow—not just for themselves, but for the sake of others.

Ministry Through Relationship: The Example of Jesus

Additionally, Stonecroft’s relational nature reflects the ministry of Jesus Himself. He often taught in small settings, through conversation, through questions, and around shared meals. He met people right where they were, and through relationships, He gently led them to the truth.

In the same way, when women open their homes, set a table, and create a welcoming space, something powerful happens. Walls come down, hearts open, and the Gospel is no longer distant—it becomes personal. This kind of ministry reminds me that God does not require a stage; He asks for willingness. He does not require perfection; He calls for obedience.

A Quiet Prayer Before Tomorrow

As I closed my laptop tonight, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. I am grateful that God is still calling women, still using ordinary conversations for eternal purposes, and still inviting us to be part of what He is doing.

My prayer tonight is simple. Lord, keep me grounded in Your Word, dependent in prayer, and bold in love. Let every conversation point back to You, and let every woman who walks through my door feel seen, known, and invited into Your grace. Amen.

The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel That Rings True

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Resonance, purity, and the call to continue the music of Christ.

“The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were afraid.” Mark 16:8

Resonance and Truth

When a crystal goblet is struck, it sings only one pure note. That clarity comes from the way it was created: every goblet has a natural frequency, a pitch woven into its very shape, and the purity of the crystal allows the sound to linger long after the touch is gone. Its rim vibrates in delicate standing waves, and when a wet finger circles the edge, each tiny slip adds just enough energy to awaken the goblet’s true voice. It reminds me of the way our barbershop chorus, The Pride of West Texas Show Chorus,  begins every song with the soft, steady tone of the electronic pitch pipe — the single note that gathers scattered voices and tunes us into one purpose.

Mark opens his Gospel in the same way. His first words strike the pitch that sets everything else in motion, and John the Baptist becomes that first vibration in the wilderness — the clear, resonant sound preparing us to hear the Good News of Jesus.

The Pure Note of the Gospel

Jesus Christ serves and suffers, and He is the Son of God, our Savior who lives and gives life. This truth is the truest and purest note of grace the world has ever known. Even in the “plunk” of crosses dropping into the ground, there is beautiful music: the voices of believers who refuse to give up the faith. From the dreariest Roman dungeons, the night air once came alive with hymns. Mark is telling us that if we listen closely, we can still hear the sound of that music.

The Men Behind the Message

And then there are the two men behind this Gospel — Peter and Mark. One a denier, the other a dropout. Yet together, carried by the wind of the Holy Spirit, they give us a Gospel written with compassion, precision, urgency, and hope. Mark did not know he was writing Scripture for the ages; he only knew he was writing “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

The Unfinished Gospel

Some theologians call Mark “The Unfinished Gospel,” because the most ancient manuscripts end at 16:8:

“The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were afraid.”

The chord is not resolved. It is as if the Composer set down His pen and the Holy Spirit carried the melody into our hearts to complete. Mark gives us the beginning — the opening pitch, the first vibration, the pure note of truth — and then hands the song to us.

The ending is up to us.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

tune our hearts to Your truth. Let Your Gospel be the pure note that steadies our steps, aligns our desires, and calls us into harmony with Your Spirit. As Mark handed the unfinished melody to the early church, help us carry it faithfully in our own generation. Give us courage like John, humility like Peter, and clarity like Mark. May our lives ring with the sound of Your grace, resonating in every place You send us. In Jesus name we pray,

Amen.

Reflection Question

Where is the Holy Spirit inviting you to continue the “unfinished Gospel” this week — through your words, your worship, or your witness?

Resource

Wessel, Walter W. The Communicator’s Commentary: Mark. Vol. 2. Waco, TX: Word, 1982.

Further Reading

If you’d like to meditate further on the themes in this post, spend time with these passages from Mark’s Gospel:

  • Mark 1:1–8 — The beginning of the Good News and the voice in the wilderness
  • Mark 8:27–30 — Peter’s confession of Christ
  • Mark 10:45 — The Son of Man who came to serve and give His life
  • Mark 14:27–31 — Peter’s denial foretold
  • Mark 15:33–39 — The crucifixion and the centurion’s confession
  • Mark 16:1–8 — The “unfinished” ending that invites us to continue the story

Prayer Path, Scripture Reflections

Amazing Grace

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Scripture, Doctrine, and the Church Family

📖 Scripture

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
— Romans 8:1

Living Free in Christ: Baptist Doctrine

Bernie and I recently joined First Baptist Lubbock, and in this season, we have been intentionally studying Baptist doctrine together. As I’ve leaned into that—especially as a doctoral student in Biblical Studies at a Baptist university—I’ve found something that has deeply encouraged my heart… something I am truly thankful for.

As I studied the doctrine, this is what I found:

At its core, Baptist theology carries a beautiful truth for struggling Christians: receiving new mercies is part of the Christian life —the steady rhythm of God’s grace.

This truth is deeply reflected in Baptist doctrine.

  • Salvation by grace reminds us that we are not defined by our past, but justified through Christ.
  • The priesthood of all believers tells us we can come directly to God—boldly and immediately
  • Soul competency reminds us that we stand personally before God, responsible to Him above all.
  • Sanctification reminds us that growth is ongoing… and stumbling is not the end

And I found myself thinking:

This is amazing grace.

📖 What Does Scripture Say?

As a Bible student, I had to ask:

What does Scripture actually say about living in ongoing renewal without shame through the steady rhythm of God’s grace?

From the very beginning, we see that shame entered through sin.

In the Garden, Adam and Eve didn’t just feel guilty—they hid. Shame whispered, “This is who you are now.” It shifted identity.

But the Gospel tells a different story.

Jesus meets people in their shame—and He restores them.

He does not define them by their failure.
He redefines them through His grace.

In John 8, when the woman was brought before Him, Jesus had every right to condemn her… but instead, He extended mercy, called her out of sin, and lifted her from the shame that once held her. And, He told her to go and sin no more.

What We Are Reminded of in Scripture

  • “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…” (1 John 1:9)
  • “As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us.”(Psalm 103:12)
  • ““Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Here is the truth:

Shame may enter through sin, but it is broken through the finished work of Christ.

When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He wasn’t just paying for sin—He was breaking the power of sin and removing the guilt that once defined us, restoring our identity in Him.

Doctrine and Scripture Together

When I compare what I found in Baptist doctrine with what I found in Scripture, they align so beautifully:

  • Doctrine says we can come boldly → Scripture says there is no condemnation for those in Christ.
  • Doctrine says we have access to God → Scripture says we are cleansed and made new for those in Christ.
  • Doctrine says growth is ongoing → Scripture says grace is sufficient for those in Christ.

And this is what I am most thankful for:

Being made new is a natural part of the Christian life—the steady, faithful rhythm of God’s grace.

🤍 Why the Church Family Matters

From my heart, I want to say this:

This is why being part of a church family matters so much.

Yes, we can come to God individually—and that is a beautiful truth.
But we were never meant to walk this out alone.

We need a place where:

  • grace is spoken out loud
  • Truth is lived in community
  • restoration is seen
  • And people remind us who we are when we forget

The church becomes living proof that starting again is possible… not just once, but daily.

🌸 Living This Out

In our home, in our church, and through The House of Prayer, this is what Bernie and I are learning to live: Daily priesthood means daily renewal
Daily renewal means we keep walking forward—restored, renewed, and covered in grace.

🙏 Prayer

Father,
Thank You for the gift of grace that continually renews us in Christ.
Thank You that in Christ, we are not defined by our past or our sin, but made new in Christ.

Teach us to come boldly to You—not hiding, not hesitating, but trusting in Your mercy.
Help us receive Your forgiveness fully and walk in the new identity You have given us.

Strengthen us to keep growing, keep turning, and keep trusting You.
And thank You for the gift of the church—for people who speak truth, extend grace, and walk alongside us.

Let our lives reflect the rhythm of Your grace—again and again.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Scripture Reflections

Green Grass in a Desolate Place

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Jesus our Shepherd Who Provides

Psalm 23: A Psalm of David. (NIV)

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.3 He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Mark 6:30-44 (NIV)

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late.36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

Jesus, Our Shepherd Who Provides

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
—Psalm 23:1

There are some words Scripture places so deeply in our souls that they surface without effort. Psalm 23 is one of them. We whisper it in hospital rooms and at gravesides. We carry it through uncertain seasons. It is a psalm for those who know what it is to walk through shadows—and still dare to trust.

Another familiar story meets us in Mark 6: the feeding of the five thousand. Five loaves. Two fish. A crowd too large and resources too small. At first glance, these passages may feel separate—one poetic, one narrative. But when we slow down and listen closely, we begin to hear the same voice.

Jesus is the Shepherd of Psalm 23—now standing among His sheep.

Mark is not offering a coincidence. He is revealing fulfillment.

Sheep Without a Shepherd—Until Jesus Appears

When Jesus steps ashore, Mark tells us He sees the great crowd and is moved with compassion, because they were like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34).

That phrase is heavy with meaning. Throughout Israel’s history, God’s people suffered under failed leaders and were repeatedly described as scattered sheep. Psalm 23 answers that ache with a promise: The LORD is my shepherd.

In Mark 6, that promise takes flesh.

Jesus does not distance Himself from the language of shepherding—He embodies it.He stays with the crowd. He teaches them. He takes responsibility for their hunger and their formation. Before bread is broken, lives are gathered.

The Shepherd has come.

Green Grass in the Wilderness

Then Mark tells us something surprisingly specific. Jesus commands the people to sit down on the green grass.

Green grass—in a desolate place.

Psalm 23 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” Sheep only lie down when they feel safe, when fear loosens its grip, when trust settles deep.

Here, in the wilderness, Jesus creates that same safety. Where the Shepherd stands, the wilderness begins to resemble pasture. Scarcity no longer gets the final word. The kingdom of God often comes quietly—placing rest beneath weary bodies and life where barrenness once ruled.

A Table Prepared by the Shepherd

The disciples see the math and panic. Jesus sees a table.

Psalm 23 declares, “You prepare a table before me…”
Mark tells us, “They all ate and were satisfied.”

Not barely enough.
Not rationed.
Satisfied.

This is shepherd abundance. When the true Shepherd provides, there is not only enough—there is overflow. Twelve baskets remain, a sign that nothing placed in the Shepherd’s hands is ever wasted.

Just before this story, Mark records another meal—Herod’s feast. That feast is shaped by power, ego, and fear, and it ends in death. Jesus’ feast is marked by compassion, simplicity, and trust, and it ends in life.

Two tables.
Two kingdoms.
One Shepherd who gives Himself for His sheep.

Still Waters and a Fearless Walk

Immediately after the meal, Mark leads us onto troubled waters. The disciples struggle. The wind resists them. Then Jesus comes—walking on the sea.

Psalm 23 rises again:
“He leads me beside still waters… Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”

The Shepherd who feeds is the Shepherd who protects. The Shepherd who gathers on the hillside is the Shepherd who stands between His people and chaos. Mark tells us the disciples did not yet understand about the loaves. In other words, they were still learning who Jesus truly is.

He is the Shepherd.

The Shepherd Still Walks With Us

Revelation gathers Psalm 23 once more and carries it forward: the Lamb who is also the Shepherd, no more hunger, no more thirst, God wiping away every tear.

What Jesus does in Mark 6 is not only history—it is promise. Psalm 23 is no longer only poetry. It is prophecy fulfilled in Christ.

So if today feels desolate,
if you come weary,
if you arrive hungry—body or soul—

Jesus, your Shepherd, sees you.

The table is set.
The grass is green—even here.
And the new creation has already begun.

A Prayer for the Path

Heavenly Father,
We thank You for giving us Jesus, our Good Shepherd. In places of weariness or uncertainty, help us recognize His presence and trust His care. Teach us to rest where He leads, to receive what He provides, and to walk without fear, knowing He is with us.
May Your goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives, as we dwell in Your presence.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Continuing on the Prayer Path

Five Scriptures for Prayer and Reflection

John 10:11 — “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
→ Sit with the truth that Jesus does not just guide you—He gives Himself fully for your care and salvation.

Ezekiel 34:15–16 — “I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep… I will seek the lost.”
→ Pray with gratitude that God personally comes after His people, especially in places of weakness or wandering.

Matthew 11:28 — “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
→ Bring your weariness honestly to Jesus and receive the rest only the Shepherd can give.

John 6:35 — “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.”
→ Reflect on where you seek satisfaction and ask Jesus to nourish the deeper hungers of your soul.

Revelation 7:16–17 — “The Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd.”
→ Rest in hope, knowing the Shepherd who feeds you now will one day wipe away every tear forever.

Prayer Path

Consider the Lilies: Walking the Prayerful Path of Trust

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Matthew 6:28

I spent a beautiful afternoon with the Lubbock Christian Women’s Connection, and from the moment I walked in, I knew it would be special. One of our fearless leaders greeted me with such kindness, looked straight into my eyes, and said, “Dee Ann, we need you to be a table hostess.”

Now I will be honest with you—there is an old fear that sometimes tries to rise up in moments like that. It grabs hold of my words and makes them want to dance into a stutter. For just a second, I felt it coming. But instead of letting fear speak, I quietly reached for Jesus’ hand and said, “Of course.”

And oh, how the Lord provides.

Karen Wood became my buddy for the day. By God’s grace, I managed to get us both safely to the Country Club, and we were ready to celebrate sisterhood. But what meant the most was this—Karen leaned in and said so gently, “I’ve been a hostess before… we can do it together.”

Isn’t that just like Jesus?

I whispered a quiet thank-you to Him in that moment—for a sweet friend, for His steadying presence, and for the courage to step into a responsibility I might have once avoided.

The afternoon itself was rich with beauty. Lindy Woods filled the room with songs that seemed to settle right into our hearts, preparing us for what God had in store. Then we heard from Leana Neagle of Willis, Texas, whose message, “On the Heels of Grace,” felt like holy ground.

Her story of miraculous healing was truly unforgettable.

After surviving a horrific wreck—something she should not have lived through—she faced the very real possibility of losing her legs. Doctors doubted. Healing seemed uncertain. Even walking again felt out of reach. And yet, in that place of deep trial, she encountered a word she had never fully understood before: testify.

Through the power and mercy of God, not only did she keep her legs, but she went on to do what once seemed impossible—she walked a marathon. And there she stood before us, whole, strong, and full of faith, declaring the goodness of God.

It was more than a testimony—it was a living picture of grace in motion.

The theme of our gathering was flowers, and as I sat at the table, my heart turned to Scripture:

“And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin.”
— Matthew 6:28

At Table 4, we gathered as women carrying responsibilities, hopes, and even quiet burdens. And Jesus, knowing hearts like ours, pointed us to something as tender as a flower to teach us about trust.

Throughout Scripture, flowers quietly preach truth:

God’s Provision
Lilies do not strive or strain, yet God clothes them in beauty. If He tends to something so fleeting, how much more will He care for you?

Human Frailty
We are like flowers of the field—here for a moment, then gone. Yet the Word of our God stands forever.

Restoration and Hope
God causes deserts to bloom again. Dry places are never beyond His reach.

Love and Delight
Flowers in Song of Solomon remind us that we are not simply sustained—we are cherished and delighted in.

Flowers bloom for a season, but they return again and again. Their rhythm mirrors our own lives—flourishing, fading, and blooming again through the faithful hand of God.

And after hearing Leana’s story, those flowers seemed to say even more:

God restores what seemed lost.
God strengthens what seemed broken.
God brings life where there was once only fear.

So as I looked at the flowers on our table—and at the women gathered around it—I sensed the Lord gently whispering:

You are seen.
You are sustained.
You are deeply loved.

To the Lubbock Christian Women’s Connection, thank you for such a lovely afternoon, for your warm welcome, and for creating a space where faith and sisterhood bloom so beautifully.

May we all continue walking this Prayerful Path… learning to trust the One who tends every petal.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

thank You for the gentle lessons You place all around us. In flowers, in friendships, and in testimonies of grace, You remind us that You are always at work.Help us to trust You the way the lilies do—without striving, without fear, simply resting in Your care. Thank You for stories like Leana’s that remind us You still heal, You still restore, and You still call us to testify to Your goodness.For every woman reading this, let Your peace settle deeply.
Where there is weariness, bring rest.
Where there is fear, bring courage.
Where there is dryness, bring new life.Teach us to bloom in every season and to walk faithfully wherever Your grace leads.We love You, Lord.
Amen.

Scripture Reflections

The Moment Good News Broke In

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The House of Prayer Bible Commentary

Bernie and I are so excited to begin a new journey together—we are writing a Bible commentary for The House of Prayer. We’re starting where our hearts always seem to go first: the Gospels, and especially the fast-moving, powerful account of Mark. What you’re reading here is a “commentary on the commentary,” a glimpse into our very first entry, Mark 1:1. Our prayer is that these reflections will not only inform but draw others closer to Jesus as His Word comes alive line by line.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Mark 1:1

Some beginnings simply introduce a story, but others announce that everything is about to change. Mark wastes no time easing his readers in. With striking clarity and urgency, he opens: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). In a single line, he sets the tone, declares his purpose, and invites us to step into something far greater than a narrative—a divine revelation unfolding in real time.

From the earliest words of Scripture, we see how powerful a beginning can be. Genesis 1:1 tells us who God is and what He has done with sweeping authority. Likewise, Mark follows this pattern of clarity, but with remarkable brevity. He answers the essential questions immediately. The “who” is Jesus Christ. The “what” is the gospel—the good news. Yet, even in this simplicity, there is depth that cannot be contained in one sentence. Mark does not aim to say everything at once; instead, he opens a doorway into a story that will reveal its fullness as it unfolds.

The phrase “the Son of God” carries both theological weight and a sense of mystery. Some early manuscripts omit it, yet the Gospel itself resounds with its truth. From the voice of the Father at Jesus’ baptism to the confession at the cross, Mark consistently reveals Jesus’ divine identity. Even when Jesus does not frequently speak the title Himself, His actions, authority, and obedience testify to it. He is not merely a teacher or prophet—He is the One through whom God’s power is made known, the obedient Son who walks the path of suffering and surrender for the sake of the world.

What is especially striking is Mark’s use of the phrase “the beginning.” This is not just a starting point in time; it is the launch of something eternal. It reaches back into the promises spoken by the prophets, now coming into fulfillment. It stands firmly in the present moment, where God’s redemptive plan is actively unfolding. And it stretches into the future, where the full impact of this good news will be realized. Mark’s beginning is not confined to a moment—it is the inauguration of a kingdom.

And then there is the word “gospel.” Mark introduces it without explanation, allowing its meaning to emerge through the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The good news is not delivered as a definition, but as a living reality. It is seen in healing, heard in teaching, and ultimately revealed in sacrifice and victory. Mark invites us not just to understand the gospel, but to encounter it.

As readers, we are not positioned as distant observers. From the very first verse, we are drawn in. We are invited to recognize who Jesus is, to receive the good news He brings, and to follow where this beginning leads. Mark’s Gospel reminds us that when God begins something, it is never small. It carries the weight of eternity and the power to transform every life it touches.

This is where the good news begins—and it is where our salvation begins as well.

Prayer
Heavenly Father,

thank You for the power and clarity of Your Word. Thank You for sending Jesus, the Son of God, as the good news our hearts long for. Help us to see beyond the surface and recognize the depth of what You have begun. Draw us into Your story, and give us faith to follow where You lead. Let Your truth shape us, and let Your gospel come alive in our lives each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Resources:

Broadman Bible Commentary, vol. 8. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1969.

Rydelnik, Michael, and Michael Vanlaningham, eds. The Moody Bible Commentary. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014.

Further Reading

  • Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
  • Isaiah 40:3 – “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord…’”
  • Malachi 3:1 – “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me…”
  • Mark 1:11 – “And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’”
Holy Week

Stepping Into Harmony: The Hope of Hosea 14:4

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A Conversation in the Choir Loft…Learning to Rest in the One Who Holds the Harmony

This past month, I joined the Singing Women of Texas, West Chapter. Many of these musicians have sung together for years, their harmonies woven through countless seasons of ministry. But for me, it was the first time I had sung in a choir in nearly twenty‑five years. I walked into that rehearsal room a little nervous, aware of how new I was and how long it had been since I blended my voice with others. It reminded me of Joshua stepping into leadership after Moses — surrounded by people who had walked this road far longer than he had, stepping into something familiar for them but brand‑new for him. And just as God told Joshua to take courage because He was with him, I sensed that same quiet encouragement as I stepped into this new season with trembling but willing faith.

So when I stepped into that room—new, nervous, and unsure—the kindness I received echoed the heart of Hosea 14:4: the God who meets us in our weakness, restores us in love, and draws us close even when we feel off‑key.   I will heal their faithlessness; I will love them freely, For my anger has turned from them. (Hosea 14:4)

That is Hosea 14:4 in our rehearsal‑room.

God doesn’t say, “Fix it first.”
He doesn’t say, “Get the notes right, then come back.”
He says:

“I will heal your faithlessness.”

He steps toward us while we’re still singing the wrong notes.
He wraps covenant love around our dissonance.
He restores the relationship His people fractured.
He loves us freely—not because we earned it, but because He is who He is.

And just like my Alto sisters who sat with me afterward—prayed with me, shared a meal with me—God’s healing doesn’t stop at forgiveness. It leads to fellowship. It leads to belonging. It leads to a table.

Bringing the Principle Home

Here’s what Hosea 14:4 invites us to remember today:

God’s healing reminds us that restoration is always His work, never ours; just as Israel’s faithlessness was a spiritual illness they could not cure on their own, we too depend entirely on God to mend what is broken in us. He loves without hesitation—freely, fully, and without conditions—stepping toward us with the kind of grace that leans in gently when we miss the note. His restoration is deeply relational, bringing intimacy, beauty, and renewed connection, much like the imagery of the lily, fragrance, and Lebanon that speaks of a love-song relationship restored. And what God restores, He places back into community, just as the early church saw Hosea’s promise as a doorway welcoming believers into a new family—restored, renamed, and embraced. In the same way my singing sisters turned wrong notes into fellowship, God often uses our shortcomings as the very places where His love becomes most visible.

A Gentle Challenge (for our hearts)

What if we stopped hiding the notes we miss?

What if we brought our spiritual “off‑pitch moments” to the One who heals faithlessness?

And what if we became for others what those women were for me—voices of grace, not judgment… companions at the table… reminders that God loves freely?

Shall we pray?

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being the God who heals because we can’t.
Thank You for loving us freely—without hesitation, without condition, without turning away.

Where we are faithless, heal us.
Where we are wounded, restore us.
Where we feel unworthy, speak Your love again.

Make our lives like a harmony of grace—
carrying others, forgiving quickly,
and reflecting the tenderness with which You love Your people.

Gather us, restore us, and tune our hearts to Your mercy.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Holy Week

IT WAS NEVER ABOUT small FAITH

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Let’s pour a cup of coffee and sit with Jesus for a minute.

Some mornings I’ve looked at my life—my people, my city, my calling—and thought, “Lord, I don’t feel like I have much today.” Maybe you’ve felt that, too. We often stare at our faith like it’s a measuring cup: Do I have enough? Is it big enough? Strong enough? But a mustard seed never looks at itself and wonders if it’s big enough to be a tree. A seed doesn’t measure—it grows. And that is exactly where Jesus meets us.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” — Matthew 13:31–32 (NIV)

“It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” — Mark 4:31–32 (NIV)

I love how Jesus takes something ordinary and reveals something unstoppable. He’s not giving a botany lesson about the tiniest seed; He’s showing us that God’s kingdom—and the faith God plants—cannot stay small. It carries His life inside it. It carries a future. It carries shelter for others.

A Conversation Over Coffee: So… what did Jesus mean?

Most of us grew up hearing, “Even a little faith is enough.” But let’s listen a bit closer. In the kingdom parables (Matthew 13; Mark 4), Jesus sets the mustard seed in a field and says, Watch what happens. The point isn’t the seed’s size; it’s the seed’s destiny—it will become something that cannot be missed. The kingdom may start quietly, but it will not end quietly.

When Jesus talks about faith “like a mustard seed” in other places, we often assume He means “faith as small as.” But there’s a rich, faithful way to hear it as faith with the nature of a seed—faith that carries the certainty of what God has promised. A seed doesn’t wonder if it will become a plant; it simply becomes what it was designed to be. That’s how divine faith works inside a believer: it trusts the outcome God has already authored.

One writer I found puts it beautifully: faith accomplishes more in proportion to its beginning than anything else we possess—not because we are impressive, but because the God who gives faith is omnipotent. Jesus’ “move a mountain” language is a holy, hope-stirring hyperbole pointing to God’s power, not our spiritual muscle. Pure, living faith the size of a seed removes a mountain; lifeless faith the size of a mountain removes nothing. That contrast shifts our eyes from our faith’s size to our faith’s Source.

What the First Audience Heard (and Felt)

Picture Jesus’ listeners—farmers, tradespeople, parents, elders—people who knew the dirt under their nails and the ache in their backs. They had seen mustard grow wild and hardy in their fields. When Jesus said, “The kingdom is like a mustard seed,” they didn’t reach for a ruler. They nodded because they’d watched a seed, which almost became a plant that took over the garden and offered shade to birds. They heard inevitability. They heard life that spreads. They heard, “What God plants will take root in this world, even if it starts in the margins.”

And when Jesus spoke of faith “like a mustard seed,” they weren’t picturing a tiny drop of spiritual courage on a measuring spoon. They were picturing seed-life—the built-in certainty that what God begins, He finishes; what He plants, He grows; what He promises, He keeps.

Bringing the Principle Home (to your kitchen table and mine)

So, let’s carry this into our lives.

  • When you whisper a prayer that feels small, remember faith doesn’t work because it’s big; faith works because God is big. The seed doesn’t “try” to grow—it responds to light, water, and the hand that planted it. Your faith responds to God’s character, God’s Word, and God’s Spirit.
  • When the need in front of you looks like a mountain, don’t stare at the “size” of your faith. Stare at the faithfulness of your God. Mountains don’t move because we push hard; they move because He speaks and He sustains.
  • When you feel disqualified by weakness, remember living faith outgrows every limit because its life is divine. It may begin quietly, but it becomes a tree with branches wide enough for others to rest. Your trust in Jesus is meant to become shade for someone else.

If God planted it, it’s going to grow. That’s true for His kingdom in the world, and it’s true for His faith in you.

A gentle challenge (for our hearts)

Let’s retire the phrase, “My faith is small.” The seed never says, “I’m tiny.” The seed simply becomes. From now on, let’s say, “My God is great, and He has planted His life in me.” That confession turns the eyes of our hearts to where power truly lives.

It was never about small faith.
It has always been about God’s faithfulness growing in us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father
Thank You for planting Your life in our hearts.
Teach us to stop measuring and start trusting—
to look less at ourselves and more at You.

Where we feel thin, breathe Your strength.
Where we feel late, remind us You are right on time.
Where the mountain looms, speak Your word, and align our faith with Your will.

Make our lives like that mustard tree—
rooted, growing, and wide-branched with shelter for others.
Let Your kingdom come through the faith You planted in us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.