Author: nowwhat

by Tami Rudkin   He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering (Isaiah 53:3, NIV). “You don’t know how I feel!” Becky screamed. Her shoulders sagged and her once-silent tears became mournful sobbing. She was right: I couldn’t relate. Her pain was too deep. The expression etched on…

To find new life, we must follow the Leader. by Tami Rudkin   And let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith . . . (Hebrews 12:1b, 2, NRSV). Living in Wyoming has given birth to many daydreams about the pioneers…

Gaining a different view of the world. by Tami Rudkin   Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (John 1:49, NIV). Parade day in our town is a big event. Hours before it actually begins, people gather along the parade route. Children run and laugh; moms…

by Tami Rudkin   “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John l:29). Dirty and dusty roads, dirty and corrupt minds, dirty and compromised religion. Sometimes the dirt was a natural phenomenon of living in an arid, sweltering…

Seeing ourselves as Jesus sees usdisrupts our comfort zones. by Tami Rudkin   “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16). Shining . . . shadows. Radiant . . . gloomy. Brilliant . . . dim….

by Tami Rudkin   “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58, NIV). Jesus was a radical, a revolutionary, a rebel — at least in the minds of the Jewish people. Everywhere He traveled He upset the religious leaders. He infuriated them to the point of murderous thoughts….

We can trust the One who knows the tools of His trade. by Tami Rudkin   “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn’t this the carpenter?” (Mark 6:2, 3, NIV). Jig saw, band saw, and table saw. Chisels, 1/4″,…

by Tami Rudkin   The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners” (Matthew 11:19, NIV). Broken dreams. Shattered hopes. Ruined lives. These words describe many in our world today. They may describe you. They’re all around us, on…

The weight of words, divine and mortal. by Tami Rudkin   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). Children sing “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” As soon as we hear that childhood verse, our mind’s…

The Light of the world takes on the Prince of Darkness. by Tami Rudkin   I am the Root and Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star (Revelation 22:16, NIV). Simply speaking those words, repeating His name, soothes my spirit and impels me to look to the pale eastern horizon where the beautiful Morning…