A well-known credit card company advertises its product with the tag-line “What’s in your wallet?” Today I’m asking, “What’s in your basket?” The banks of the Nile used to be lined with reeds, and papyrus marshes occupied large areas of the Delta in the north. The ancient Egyptians used these reeds to make paper, baskets, sandals, mats, rope, blankets, tables, …
It’s almost here!
Jochebed releases next Wednesday! I’m so excited about this first book in the “Ordinary Women of the Bible” series, and all the amazing books to come! While it doesn’t release for a week, there is a fantastic opportunity you’ll want to take advantage of now. In order to guarantee delivery by Christmas, you need to order by November 28 – …
A Good Time Was Had by All
Tomorrow is my birthday. I love birthdays, mine or anyone else’s. It’s thought that Ancient Romans were the first to celebrate birthdays for the average Joe. The Romans loved to celebrate life. They referred to the day of one’s birth as dies natalis, which translates quite literally to birthday. Birthday celebrations weren’t reserved just for people, either. Cities, buildings, and …
Let Them Eat Cake!
When I was growing up, my favorite birthday cake was made by my grandmother. It had a Barbie doll in the middle, and the cake was shaped as her hoop-skirt dress. Once you’d enjoyed the cake, you had a new barbie to play with! Everybody loves cake, right? So who do we have to thank? Well, there’s some debate as …
Rich Romans, Rich Food
In my family, we typically celebrate birthdays by having dinner together. The birthday boy or girl chooses whether we eat out or at home, and what the menu will be. Centuries ago, the Romans enjoyed a good birthday dinner as well. Actually, Romans loved to eat, so it didn’t take much to get someone to host a party. One menu …
It’s My Birthday – and I’m Giving Stuff Away!
My birthday isn’t until the 30th but I’m celebrating all month long. (And no, I’m not telling you how old I’ll be.) First, I have a huge giveaway planned. Enter below – ELEVEN winners! Second, I will randomly choose winners from those who comment on any blog in the last 6 months. Once you win a random drawing, you cannot …
A Macedonian Dozen
Paul was called to Macedonia in a vision. Acts 16 tells us a “man of Macedonia” pleaded with him to come over and help them. Paul and his companions immediately headed for Philippi. Macedonia (or Macedon) was an ancient kingdom located in the north of the Greek peninsula. The kingdom was first inhabited by the Mackedoni tribe, named after the …
The Worst Kind of Sale
The sale of slaves in the ancient world was conducted just as sales of other goods and wares–in a market, in public. Captives to be sold would be displayed on stands, sometimes revolving. Usually, they were naked so potential buyers could see exactly what they were purchasing. If captives were not already nude, buyers could demand that they be stripped …
15 Facts About Slavery
The Roman Empire depended on slaves. It simply couldn’t function without them. As many as 33% of the population across the Empire were slaves. Inequality was an accepted part of life and freedom was not a right. Romans believed the freedom of some was possible only because of the slavery of others. The fact that slaves most often came from …
The Mountains Quake Before Him
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. ~Acts 16.26 I grew up in southern California. I remember several earthquakes, but none that were really serious. In college in Tulsa, I experienced my first tornado warning. I was terrified, but …