I love this chart, Raechel! I've never seen the name changes compared side-by-side. Names are fascinating to me. When I met my husband, he wanted to be a police officer. As I got to know him more (and even today, after nine years of marriage), his sense of justice for others blew me away. Once he became a patrol officer, he'd recount traffic stops or citizen contacts and I never tired of hearing his response to the people he was dealing with each night. I share that to share his name: Justin. Which means "full of justice." I love that God impressed this name on my mother-in-law's heart as she was thinking through the naming process for my husband.
So well said, Kelly. Thank you!
Amen!! Hold on to that shred of hope you felt. Spring comes subtly but quickly.
Thank you for putting this into words - I am still wrapping my head around the dichotomy of physical beauty and spiritual beauty. Your calling out of what man looked at and what God looked at in Esther really helped me see the point here. Well said!
I'm grateful for this hymn coming at the end of the John study. I am moved, so deeply, by the cross, yet there are always times where I think "now what?" and struggle to tie all Christ did for us on the cross to my daily life. This hymn, though, is so beautiful, and ties the cross so closely with this daily life. I am grateful for all you ladies do!
"Jesus’ great love and sacrifice has won the battle of unity on our behalf and granted us the riches of His victory. May we stand firm, be courageous, and live steadfast in our oneness with Him, displaying His reconciling love in all that we do and say. We are stronger standing together with Jesus." Yes!! And for the days in which our human nature gets in the way, and our sin introduces disunity with God, may we hold fast to His forgiveness and continue walking with Him, and others, in unity.
I am moved by this association - by the fact that all we can bring Christ is death, yet He brings us life and love and tears over our flesh. The things I'm frustrated about, or confused by, or otherwise allowing to steal my attention... those certainly fade in the light of this thought. Thank you for putting that connection together for us.
Though I've known the story of God asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, I've not put together the foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice before. This connection is beautiful - and especially that Abraham (and Isaac) is in Christ's lineage.
I love the point of this post and calling out God's promises at the start of Advent. He promised a Savior; He promised salvation; He promises eternity. The reminder of the higher, loftier, more permanent purpose of Christmas is something to cling to this season. And, I love the post earlier that pointed out the need to be careful and diligent in the promises we make to our friends and loved ones during this season.
I am grateful for the focus on the beginning - on Adam and Eve and sin and the need for a Savior. The longing of the heart that has passed through centuries as we live in a world with sin. Thank you for starting here. I'm so looking forward to each day of this study.
What a beautiful analogy of God's will as a tapestry. Grateful for your heart, ladies, and your beautiful words in this space each morning. Thank you!
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Amy 
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