The Purpose of Parables The parable of the Good Samaritan has been told and retold so many times, I hesitated to write this blog. I am not a New Testament expert. Yet, the style of teaching with parables is truly a Jewish trademark. Storytelling was central to many non-reading ancient cultures of the world. Even if someone could read, there was limited access to written materials, scrolls, and what we now call books. Jesus told more than forty parables in the gospels. Storyt

"Between a Rock and a Hard Place" by Terry Harman © 2007 The Rehearsal The other night in rehearsals for the play, Jesus of Nazareth, the...

"Goliath from Gath" created by Hector Marin and Terry Harman, photo by Terry Harman © 2010. Size Intimidates The story of David and Goliath. We've all heard the saying, "The bigger they are the harder they fall." "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Right. These axioms do not reassure us much when we are in the thick of the battle. Shouting these sayings will not make the problem go away. Sometimes the enemy of our soul is like a roaring lion and resistantly stands th

Old Battles Reemerge Some troubles have a way of returning despite our best efforts to avoid the "same old, same old." No one willingly...

Examine the situation David found himself in 1 Samuel 16:1-13. He is going about his daily routine as a young shepherd, tending to the family’s sheep business. The nights can be cold, but there are also the joys of sitting on the hill with the sun warming your face as you carefully guard the unsuspecting flock from would-be thieves and natural predators.   David is fifteen years old. Adolescence can be a turbulent time for any boy in Israel, marked by self-discovery, identi

The "mercy seat" is the place on the Ark of the Covenant that covers the Ten Commandments (Law of God). This is the place where the blood is applied to make atonement or cover over the sin(s) being atoned for. A friend of mine explains it this way. Inside the Ark of the Covenant were the Ten Commandments, or the standards the Lord expects his people to live by. But the Lord's children sin and break those commandments. The Lord made provisions for this sin to be "covere

Exodus 3:13-15 And Moses said unto God: ‘Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them: The God of your...

Bite Your Tongue “Bite your tongue” may be an American saying. I do not know. It is more than just resisting giving someone a “piece of...

Envy is a Poison Envy, a corrosive emotion that erodes the very essence of one's being, originates from the profound depths of...

As the incense would lie upon the hot coals, a sweet-smelling aroma or a fragrance would begin to rise. Often, this aroma is just called smoke, but it is not ordinary smoke; it is a “sweet” smelling fragrance or aroma. When Aaron burned the incense at the golden altar, the entire holy place was filled with the aroma. This sweet-smelling aroma went beyond the holy place as it wafted past the entrance to the tabernacle and eventually beyond the gate of the tabernacle. 

The High Priest and the Menorah, photo by Aaron Harman, 2005 Every year around Hanukkah I receive emails asking for information about the...

The LORD will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be smitten before you; they shall come out against you one way and flee...

Misunderstanding and Disagreement If one subject is misunderstood in Christianity and Judaism, it would be the five Levitical sacrifices. It is typical for the Jews of the Reform or Conservative movements to say, "The sacrificial system of the Torah is an ancient practice that is no longer relevant in this day and age." Now the "sacrifice of the heart" through prayer, giving alms, and service reveals the intentions of our hearts . Orthodox Jews would not disagree with the im

Recognition of the Menorah Worldwide, the Menorah is one of the most widely recognized religious symbols. The Menorah is the oldest...

Illustration Only - Cohen Gadol in the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur, photo Terry Harman, © 2014 I received an email from a subscriber who...

1984 Flannelgraphs of the Bible In 1984 I began working part-time as an Interfaith Chaplain for the Illinois Department of Developmental...

Pray for anything long enough and you will convince yourself it will never happen! Yes, I said that. Twenty-two years I silently prayed,...

Helmet and Sword Connection I chose to discuss the helmet last because most soldiers suit up with all the other armor or gear first and...

The B-I-B-L-E I came into this world on October 31, 1956, at Saint Luke’s Hospital in the quaint town of Bluefield, nestled within the...

The Power of the Shield In spiritual warfare, the Bible offers valuable insights and metaphors to guide believers' daily walk with God....