Author Archives: debponders

Pondering John 4:25-42. She came to the well because she had a physical need for water; she would leave with a deeper, spiritual need satisfied. It’s the physical needs, the ones we know, where Jesus first meets with many of us. Needs are obvious in third world countries. There we can see cries for cleanContinue reading “She Shared Him”

Pondering John 4:15-24. She wasn’t quite sure what He was telling her. She didn’t totally get it but it sounded good. It definitely sounded better than what she had. So she requested what He offered—water that provided eternal life. So many people think they must have all their questions answered before they say “yes” toContinue reading “He Knows”

Pondering John 4:7-15. Racial walls, gender walls, cultural walls, socio-economic walls, political walls, religious walls. These man-made boundaries harden our hearts. They prevent us from caring for one another. They stop us from listening to one another. They breed hostility. And they don’t look at all like Jesus. He was Jewish. She was Samaritan. HeContinue reading “Walls Tumble Down”

Pondering John 4:1-7. I like her. I like her a lot. She has a bad reputation. She’s been rejected and hurt. She’s lonely. She’s feisty. She’s bold and breaks boundaries. She’s honest. She is curious and ask questions, but will quickly change the subject when confronted. She’s a broken woman yet she is strong. HerContinue reading “I Like Her”

Pondering John 3:22-30. For many years, I have had the joy of serving alongside pastors and teachers who are committed to Christ and His Word. I’ve entertained many in my home. I’ve vacationed with several. I’ve shared the extremely close quarters of mission trips with a few. I have witnessed their words and actions behindContinue reading “Telling it Like it Is”

Pondering John 3:16-21. Good news! Great news! Marvelous news! God gave, at great expense, His one and only Son to the undeserving. Why? Because of His extravagant love. God’s desire is to rescue and save us from ourselves. His heart responds to our brokenness with the cure that brings wholeness and holiness. And there isContinue reading “Good and Bad News”

Pondering John 3:1-15. Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He was a man with many credentials. Jewish. Religious. A member of the Sanhedrin, the highest legal, legislative and judicial branch of the Jews. And a highly respected, educated teacher of the Scriptures. But JesusContinue reading “New Birth”

Pondering John 2:13-25. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. A little background: Passover was an annual event celebrating the ancient story of Israel’s rescue from cruel slavery inContinue reading “Lion and Lamb”

Pondering John 2:1-12. On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” This party was about to turn into a social disaster! In theContinue reading “Filled to the Brim”

Pondering John 1:40-51. What happens after a day spent with Jesus? For Andrew, after spending such a day, the very first thing he did was find his brother, Simon Peter, tell him about Jesus and take him to meet the long awaited Christ. Why does a follower of Christ feel so compelled to share Jesus?Continue reading “Come and See”