Author Archives: debponders

Pondering John 8:12-30. Figuratively, He drew the line in the sand a little bit deeper. Jesus had previously declared to the crowd that He is Living Water. Consequently some decided to follow Him while others became hostile. The people were divided. So He made another “I Am” revelation. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,Continue reading “Light of Life”

Pondering John 8:1-11. She was guilty. Caught in the act. Forced to stand before a large crowd of people as her sin of adultery was broadcasted for all to hear. Humiliated. Ashamed. Frightened. Expecting death. Vulnerable. Her soul was of no concern to her accusers. She was merely a tool used by powerful, hostile menContinue reading “Caught in the Act”

Pondering John 7:37-52. Twenty five years ago, I visited the island of Jamaica with girlfriends. We asked a taxi driver to show us the Jamaica that he loved—the real Jamaica. We wanted to learn about his home and culture. While on this journey, we saw two little boys carrying buckets of water across the busyContinue reading “Can’t Live Without It”

Pondering John 7:1-36. A few years ago, a man sitting beside me on the plane asked why I was traveling to Guatemala. I told him about the children’s home I had been visiting for 12 years. That was the last time he asked any questions about my life. Instead, he spent the next hour tellingContinue reading ““Never””

Pondering John 6:16-51. Many inquiring minds have asked the same question I once had, however I never used actual words. Instead, I lived the question out loud.  Some admit they have wrestled with the question while others attempt to push it out of their minds and pretend they aren’t interested. The crowd followed Jesus toContinue reading “The Question”

Pondering John 6:14-15. They didn’t exist yet, but there should have been fireworks. It was amazing!A miracle. 20,000 hungry people fed by multiplying 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. I wonder if people in our nation can truly grasp the magnitude of this miracle. We are surrounded by such abundance. Most of us haveContinue reading “There Should Have Been Fireworks”

Pondering John 6:1-15. Lisa and I planned a special evening for 500 girlfriends. Our goal was to provide a nourishing meal followed by a spiritual meal. We hired a caterer to accommodate the first need and we hired a renowned speaker to address the second need. The meal was excellent—or so I heard. The buffetContinue reading “What’s in Your Lunchbox?”

Pondering John 5:16-47. He’s bold! Jesus healed a desperate man who had been an invalid for 38 long, miserable years. And by doing so, He also gave the man dignity and opportunities—but He did it on a Sabbath. For that, He was persecuted. His explanation and the result, “My Father is always at his work toContinue reading “He’s bold!”

Pondering John 5:1-15. I try to avoid putting character labels on people. I don’t know their past heartaches yet I know everyone has stories of pain. I don’t know their present struggles but I am aware that trouble is part of life. And certainly no one knows their future. So I don’t want to judgeContinue reading “So Many Questions”

Pondering John 4:43-54. After all attempts to resolve a difficult situation fail and prayer is requested, a friend of mine often teases, “Has it come to this?”. She likes to remind us that we too often wait for a crisis before humbly asking God for help. For the man in this story, it truly hadContinue reading “Has it Come to This?”