Bible stories about female leaders are rare. And I’ve been in churches whose ministers have attempted to explain away female leadership with excuses like these: “When God can’t find a good man, God has to use a woman.” “Notice that the woman isn’t ruling over men. She’s instructing other women or taking care of children.
Formations 07.31.2016: The Things that Drive Us
July 24, 2016 by
Even though I grew up in the Midwest, my family roots are in Kentucky. It’s where most of my extended family lives, where I attended seminary, and where my thoughts always turn on the first Saturday in May.
Formations 07.17.2016: Deborah the Judge
July 10, 2016 by
We traditionally call the biblical heroes who flourished from the settlement of Canaan to the rise of the monarchy “judges,” but that doesn’t quite capture their role.
Formations 07.10.2016: When Laughing Is Scary
July 3, 2016 by
May I begin by apologizing for what is to come? I was taught to do my best not to offend people, but this text makes it hard. In fact, I’m convinced that Judges 3:12-30 offends nearly everybody’s sensibilities in some way.
Formations 07.03.2016: Breaking the Cycle of Failure
June 26, 2016 by
She’lah Shreve is a graduate of George W. Carver High School in Birmingham, Alabama and is soon to begin his studies at Lawson State Community College. There was a time, though, when it looked like he would never graduate at all. Tenth-grade chemistry threatened to be She’lah’s downfall.
Crossroads: Deborah – Human Strength vs. God’s Strength
November 24, 2014 by
I’ve never been the strongest person in the room. There are many things that I simply cannot pick up. So as frustrating as it may be, I’ve learned not to rely on my own physical strength. But relying on God for other types of strength isn’t as easy.
Crossroads: Peer Pressure
April 28, 2014 by
When I was in fifth grade, a new kid came to our choir program at church. I knew this boy, but he was not good friends with me and my pals. After choir we were all outside playing, and the new kid was standing off by himself watching us.