Magic Arts Bonfire (Acts 19:11-21 ESV)

 There are bonfires and there are bonfires.  Some are very pleasant to sit around, especially on a cool to cold starry night.  You can sit before it and sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; roast marshmellows and/or make s'mores; chat campanionably with your companions or just sit and soak up the warmth of the fire and the general atmosphere of 'being and belonging'.

Another type of bonfire is what we read about in Acts chapter 19 and verses 18-20.  It was a great bunch of books that were openly tossed into the flames to be burned.  They  were magic arts books.

The owners who had practiced the magic arts had become believers and followers of Jesus Christ.  Satan, the occult and all attached to those practices were being cut off from their lives.  They

 "burned them (the books) in the sight of all" (v. 19 ESV).

They meant business and showed it by their actions, declaring to one and all their renouncement of the magic arts and way of life and then their new found freedom in Christ.

They had made a clean break because before that bonfire happened, they had come,

"confessing and divulging their practices' (v. 18).

It was a pivotal time in their lives.  No turning back now.  The collective cost of those burned books had been 50,000 pieces of silver.  If you Google that you'll discover that it is roughtly equal to today's USD $37,200-50,000!  That was a lot of wealth.  One day's laborer wage back then was one denarii.  How long had it taken to earn enough to buy all those books!?

But now they severed their connections and it likely had hurt to relinquish all the cost they represented.  But they voluntarily burned all.  They meant business!

Because of the phrase "confessing and divulging" it indicates to me that some, if not all, had been secretly practicing these magic arts.  So this is a further sign of their genuine faith in Jesus and Holy Spirit conviction within them.

It was the cost of following Jesus vs the cost of that life and money spent.  They counted that cost, overcame any fear of repercussion of the evil spirits involved in those magic arts' counterattack.

I feel that their faith in Christ was truly genuine.  Now their hearts were set on fire - a great bonfire in their lives, to follow Jesus.

Oh, the wonder of it all!  And because of it we're told,

"So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed" (v. 20).

[There's nothing magic about this!]

When former idol worshippers and magicians come to Christ, it could be a hurdle for them to fully give up all connected to that former way of life.  All the articfacts, idol statues, altars and so on and so forth, need to be disposed of, no matter.

There could be hesitation as they count the cost of the literal monetary value of all those items, added to the fear of evil spirit retaliation, and of family connections who are opposed to their new found faith in Jesus.  Then their own attachment to that way of life.  It will be a major 'housecleaning' to cut the apron strings, so to speak, from it all.

I know of one lady who was hard pressed to 'clean house'.  She could never, as yet, cut all those ties.  Instead of burning the artifacts, she gave them away.  She'd paid good money for them.  She was also fearful of evil spirit redress.  In the ensuing years she never fully followed Jesus and was full of paralyzing fear.  Those things were still idols in her heart and her fear of them were greater then her fear of the Lord.  There was very little joy and the word of God did not grow in her.

This is why I believe it is of immense import to confiscate, voluntarily, all a new believer in Jesus, once worshiped.  The person cannot be forced to do so.  It must come from their heart - willingly and with sincerity.

It's only by God's grace we can stand, by faith, and cling on to Jesus.  It is in Him we live, move and have our being.  We can acknowledge Him by truly making Him our God through Jesus and fearing Him only.  Count the cost, and may we each have a bonfire for Jesus kindled in our hearts until He comes.  In Jesus' name, so be it.

                                                   ~  ERC  March  2026  ~

Based on Acts 19:11-21 ESV.

Sing, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, along with Lydia Walker.

Apollus' Portrait (Acts 18:24-28 ESV)

 What do you admire in a man?  A Jew named Apollos was desscribed, not by his appearance - he may or may not have been tall, dark and handsome - but by his character and how he used his God-given gifts.

He was 

"eloquent" and "competent in the Scriptures."  

He had been

 "instructed in the way of the Lord" 

and must have listened well to the instructions.  This could indicate an obedient and even humble attitude.  Luke continues to detail, Apollos was

 "fervent in spirit" 

and he 

"taught accurately" and diligently (KJV), "the things concerning Jesus ...."

Apollos also had courage, he 

"spoke boldly."  

And he got encouragement to travel as he'd planned and

 "greatly helped those who through faith had believed."

His portrait doesn't stop there.  He was able to

"powerfully refute ... in public, showing by Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus"!

Wow!

What a man!

In my opinion, if Proverbs 31 is a portrayal of what a noble woman is, this peek at Apollos would be a good example of what a noble man might look like.

No doubt there is much more to be said, but I'd admire this in a brother-in-Christ.  We could probably add that he was faithful.  Faithful in his faith and in his service, poured out like and offering to the Lord, to His word and to those he served among.

All believers in Jesus Christ who fear God and walk humbly before Him and  in step with the Holy Spirit could have a similar portrait.  May we each be faithful to the Lord and His service, using our gifts for His glory and by His grace until He calls us home to be with Him.  

Perhaps today, but remain ever faithful, until ...

                                                 ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 18:24-28 ESV

Sing, Must I Go Empty Handed?, along with Risen Lord.

Hot Cross Buns (Easter 2026)

 I've often wondered about Hot Cross Buns.  Why do we see them at Easter time?  I even made some the other day - for better or for worse.  Ahem ...

Anyway, my curiosity finally led me, after all these years, to investigate.  The icing cross, of course, is obvious.  It represents Jesus' dying on the cross.

Then when I saw the recipe called for spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, I was surprized.  I hadn't realized there were supposed to be spices in these buns.

I rather like the symbolism of the spices.   They remind us of the spices the women brought to anoint Jesus, which we know they did't get a chance to use in the end as Jesus had already risen from the dead.

I like the beautiful, caring and loving thoughtfulness of these women who showed their regard and care for Jesus.  In their sorrow they offered these spices, especially for Him.

The buns, being bread, clearly remind us that Jesus is the Bread of Life.  Secondly, that we can often eat of the broken bread during holy communion, or as some people prefer to call it, the "Breaking of Bread," in obedience to Jesus' request to remember Him in His death and resurrection for us.  He had told his disciples at the Last Supper,,

"Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19 ESV).

The monk, Brother Thomas Rodecliffe is attributed to having started this Hot Cross Bun tradition away back in England in 1361.  Originally called the "Alban Bun" (from St. Alban's Abbey) [AI Overview].

It was a great and delicious way to tell the story of Jesus, not in a nutshell, but in a bun. 

 Interesting, right?  Let's praise Jesus for all He's done for us.

Praise the Lord, Jesus is risen.  He is alive!  We serve a risen Savior.

Remember Him.

                                                    ~ ERC  April  2026  ~

Based on Luke 22:19 and The AI Overview Story of Alban Buns.

Sing, Bread of Life, along with Forever Be Sure.

Book Review - The Lost Woman - By Karen Mulvahill - Publication Date: 2 April 2026

 In many ways this was a difficult book to read, as there is much about the cruelty, greed and evil treatment of the Jews during WWII.  Then too, the lives of the citizens coping with war conditions and those who tried to 'hide' in France.  There is much about high value art paintings and how they were confiscated and divided up, taken from the walls of many Jewish homes.  The Picassos, Monets, and more - gone to Hitler, Goring and others.  Art dealers and collectors - some legit but many not - also get mentioned.  

We see this story through several pairs of eyes.  Of main note are the eyes of Nicole as a hands-on eyewitness and who instigates Robert, years later, to trace lost pieces of her family's paintings.  The reader will also find story twists through Kenneth, Alexi, and Sam.

A caution I would remark on is that since this is also a story seasoned with romance, some potential readers many not appreciate some of the more intimate bedroom descriptions.  So saying, most of the story's focus is on the stolen art work and the difficult process of recapturing them and getting them back to the rightful owners.  I found this interesting and learned a thing or two in this regard.

Tears may be shed and at times, breaks from reading may be needed; at least this happened to me.  However, over all, The Lost Woman was well defined, giving what I feel this work of historical fiction deserves, that is, a satisfactory "well done!"

                                              ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                             March 2026

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Life Support (Acts 17:28 & 31 ESV)

 

More and more we see AED's placed in strategic places, often near coffeee shops where folks like to hang out or even in sports centers where people like to "keep fit," playing rigorous matches of pickle ball , badminton and the like.  I've heard they've been effectively used.

Being jolted back to life with an Automated Exernal Defibrallator (AED) would be a mercy to many heart attack survivors.  This machine may not necessarily be termed 'life support' but it does help restart the heart and bring life back to the person.

At hospitals, other machines can 'take over' to help sustain organ functions during critical illness until, hopefully ... prayerfully, the body will be able to kick back in and do the work for itself.

These life support measures are generally understood to be for temporary usage.  A stop gap until health returns, or that most traumatic and complex decision has to be made to halt these interventions.

In Paul's address to the Areopagus men of Athens, he speaks of the one true God.  He tells them that,

"In Him we live and move and have our being; for we are indeed His offspring" (vs 28).

God provided life support for us; that is, the everlasting life we have through Jesus (see John 3:16).  Note the word 'everlasting'.  This is not a temporary measure, but a life long and eternal one.

Jesus has provided us life support by bringing us the gift of salvation.  God has given us all assurance of this

 "by raising [Jesus] from the dead."

Jesus' death brought us life and His resurrection from the dead brought us assurance of this everlasting life.

Some of those thinkers of Athens believed Paul's words - that message of Jesus and the one true God.  I hope and pray more will find this 'jolt to life eternal' today too.

And for those of us who already have this "Life Support" that we will treasure it and live to please the Lord and so show our gratitude and thankfulness to Him.

                                               ~ ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 17:28 & 31 ESV.

Sing, How Deep the Father's Love For Us, along with Stuart Townend.

Paul's Pause (Acts 16)

 Distractions are everywhere, especially when you want to start to read your Bible.  At least it happens to me.  My thoughts get all scattered and flayed and disarrayed.  It's so easy to be led astray.

A verse comes to mind as an antidote of sorts.

"Take captive every thought ...." (2 Corinthians 10:5).

I know it is taken a bit out of context but it is a thought that just scurried through my mind.  Had to look it up.  If you take your thoughts captive, what is the purpose?  The verse continues,

" ... to obey Christ."

Self-control needs to come in to play here too, I think.  The self-control that is generated by the Holy Spirit within us, a governing  of our own will empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Otherwise, we won't have a lot of success.

It does help I've found, to put the harness of prayer on to help corral my thoughts and to seek the Lord's message for me for that day, before I start to read.  It is so often a battle to do even that.

There are so many things to distract and lure our minds away.

  "Resist the devil" (James 4:7)

 and our own wayward minds.

"Submit to the Lord and then resist the devil."

In all their busyness of missionary work, Paul, Silas and Timothy don't get distracted.  They pause, especially Paul, to listen to the Holy Spirit.  That would take focus and a trained mind and vow for our ears to hear, listen for and to obey Holy Spirit guidance.

They had planned to go to one city but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.  Paul had the vision in the night of the Macedonian man beckoning them to come to help them.  So they went.

These are important moments in time where we get "the call" from the Lord to 'go here or there' and to "do this or that."  We need a "Paul Pause," training and attuning ourselves to have ears that hear and are not distracted by whatever it is we allow to otherwise distract us from God's Word, building relationship with Him and earnestly learning to obey Christ.

                                                 ~ ERC March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 16 ESV.

Sing, Wasted Years (Rex Allen).

HAIKU - Riding Hosanna (Palm Sunday 2026)

 

Here comes the donkey,

Jesus on its back, riding.

"Hosanna," crowds shout!

Jesus, humble, came

in peace.  Came to serve mankind.

His death on the cross.

Blessed is He who

came.  All glory and honor

Be upon His name.

He came in the name 

of the Lord.  "Peace, be to you!"

Rejoice.  Jesus came.

Everlasting life

He gave.  Shame and blame upon

His back, riding now.

Atonement for our souls.  

Perfect sacrifice for

us.  Forgiveness rides.

"Praise the Lord," we shout.

From donkey, to cross, for us,

"Hosanna!" again.

"Amen.  Thank You, Lord."

We are blessed because You came

Meekly, and with love."

We give You our thanks Lord Jesus and so remember what you have done for us.  Thank You.  Amen.

                                                     ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Luke 19:28-44 and Matthew 21:1-11 ESV.

Sing, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, along with Sovereign Grace Music.