You're Not Going To Believe This
...But Kendall Ramseur is joining us for Holy Ghost Stories Live 😮
Hello! Hope you’re well. Here’s the latest:
JOIN US, WON’T YOU?
In October I’ll be heading to Midland, TX for the very first Holy Ghost Stories Live show. It will be an unforgettable night of story and song during which you’ll encounter Yahweh via two haunting, iridescent stories from the Old Testament.
But that’s not all. I’m thrilled to announce that the one and only Kendall Ramseur will be accompanying me on his cello with a live score.
That’s right—the wonderfully talented composer/musician who created the score for “The Lion, the Witch, and the War Zone” (Episode 8 of Season 2) will join us and kick the evening up to another level.
This is a huge deal and I could not be more excited.
It all happens on October 30 at First Methodist Midland. Ages 13 and up are welcome and doors open at 6:30pm. If you like Holy Ghost Stories, you will Love. This. Show.
Even more to tell you soon, but for now here’s the link to grab tickets. They’re free (!), but space is limited. So don’t dawdle.
Out Today: The Story of Hannah & Samuel
I’m thrilled to share a brand new episode of Holy Ghost Stories with you: “The Redeemer, the Pilgrim, and the Baby Boy”—the story of Hannah’s emotionally-packed journey toward motherhood. It’s a longtime favorite of many (possibly you?), so I’m praying I’ve done it justice. You’ll have to let me know.
BITS AND BOBS
The text describes Elkanah as being a “Zuphite.” This probaby indicates he was from an older, well-known, well-to-do family (“Elkanah Zuph” we would call him today). I’ve nodded to this by describing him as an aristocrat in the episode.
Here’s the view from Tel Shiloh looking east over the hills:
Image credit: biblewalks.com
The Tabernacle in Shiloh - At this point, the tabernacle has been in Shiloh for over 300 years. Since the text describes Eli as “sitting on his chair by the doorpost of Yahweh’s house” (and since the tabernacle had no door/doorposts), scholars suppose the Israelites had likely built a more permanent structure in front of or around it.
This is actually one of the last times the ark of the covenant will be located in Shiloh. It will soon be captured by the Philistines; when it’s recovered it will be moved to Kirath Jearim and later, Jerusalem.
If you need a refresher on what the tabernacle looked like, here’s a rendering:
Image credit: thetorah.com I mention the smell of the roasting sacrifices multiple times in this episode. If you’ve ever wondered why meat smells so good while it’s cooking, here’s an interesting article.
Spending so much time with Hannah while creating this episode, I couldn’t help but think of David’s spirit of sacrifice: “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24).
During the scene where Samuel is a toddler, I describe him pointing to everything—usually things higher than he is. Thought this was a fun preview of the way Samuel will spend his whole life: pointing to Something higher than himself.
I love how Yahweh reverses the association of the annual worship pilgrimage from one of sadness to one of joy. Very Him.
It’s important to notice that as 1 Samuel begins and Yahweh works toward the rise of His kingdom, His first moves happen not in palace halls or hallowed throne rooms, but in response to the whispered prayers of a weeping woman on a family trip.
THE PAIN OF INFERTILITY
“What about the women (and men) who pray for a child and don’t get a ‘yes’?”
It’s impossible to reflect on this story and not think of the would-be parents who struggle with infertility, etc—the people who pray Hannah’s prayer (half of it, at least) and still don’t get to have a child.
What about them?
Rather than respond to that question here, I’d rather heartfully acknowledge it and remind those of us who teach this passage to: 1) bear in mind the pain of this struggle, and 2) remember how Hannah’s story (and others in Scripture) may further complicate an already complicated experience. This is not a reason to avoid these stories; simply a reason to talk about them empathetically.
GIVE IT A LISTEN
I hope you’re blessed by this episode. If you are, let me know—I always love hearing from you guys.
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3 Cool Things
Opossums - Don’t get me wrong; I’m not adopting one anytime soon, but this piece in The Atlantic on why opossoms are fascinating is great. “Daniel M. Lavery wondered what, exactly, an opossum eats: ‘IS IT FRUIT? IS IT … NIGHT DIRT? IS IT OTHER RATS?’ The answer is yes.”
Trying - Jennifer and I discovered this show last year and have just loved it. Earnest and hopeful and sad and funny, it tells the story of a London couple’s journey toward parenthood. (A great partner to this episode of HGS, in fact.) It’s so well done. You can find it on Apple TV+ —definitely worth binging (along with Ted Lasso) during a free trial.
Public Libraries - Okay, listen: I grew up going to the library, but that was a long time ago and it’s been a while since I visited as an adult (due not only to our recent global nomadism but also to rampant late fines accrued a decade ago—shut up, we’re all growing). Anyway, my family and I just took a trip to our local library and, um, WOW. Paper books! (You can walk right out of the place with them!) Tablet books! Free power tool rentals! Free public speaking camp for kids! ACT practice tests for free! Free Rossetta Stone subscriptions! This is going to make April 15 a happier day.
That’s the latest! Hope you’re blessed by “The Redeemer, the Pilgrim, and the Baby Boy” and don’t forget to grab your tickets for Holy Ghost Stories Live in Midland.
Gratefully,
Justin
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