Author Archives: JoAnn Alo

Who doesn’t smile over the rainbow? Rainstorms pour, suddenly clouds split, and there is it. Magnificence. God said the rainbow was for His remembrance. “I will remember my covenant.” (Gen 9:15).  What? Does God forget His promises? God needs reminders? This is when hebrew meanings need reading. The hebrew meaning for remember: is zakar. To zakarContinueContinue reading ““My rainbow.” Genesis 9:13″

Burnt offerings on the altar soothed the Lord. How so? Like when the kitchen is cooking with the aroma of garlic chicken? As lilac perfumes the air in early Summer? Or the fireplace crackles in winter? Whenever I imagine God in the Old Testament soothed by a pleasing aroma. I think of steaks sizzling on the grill orContinueContinue reading ““A soothing aroma.” Genesis 8:21″

It’s always been His plan—for us to live in Christ. To rid our hearts of violence—and fill us with His goodness. To escape the floods of death—and save us through His life. To divorce our affections for momentary stuff—and establish an everlasting covenant with us. To show us the way out of misery—and enter HisContinueContinue reading ““Come into the ark.” Genesis 7:1″

Isn’t it striking this first fear recorded in scripture? Choosing to sin triggered the terror of God’s voice. Destined to hide from the One voice that brought life. A & E never thought to hide from a voice tempting them to eat what would kill them? Did they not understand what death meant? And whyContinueContinue reading ““I was afraid.” Genesis 3:10″

I’d never seen Jesus in the first words of the Bible, till today. There He was—the light of a dark world. And He was good. God hovered and saw Day and Night, land and sea, herb and fruit. He saw every beast and creeping thing. And God saw you, and God saw me—every single boyContinueContinue reading ““God divided the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:4″

I once interpreted this to mean women should keep quiet, never become overzealous. Like Julie Andrews we would simply remember our favorite things and then we won’t feel so bad. But it was never that simple. I, like Jeremiah, had a fire in my bones and I grew weary of holding it in. As IContinueContinue reading ““A gentle and quiet spirit.” 1Peter 3:4″

I once thought God turned a blind eye to the horrors of this world. Ignored from His pristine kingdom, our suffering. Shutter to think such a deceiving thing now that I know I am made in His own image. For unlike the beasts of the earth, God has set before me a choice: life orContinueContinue reading ““You fight and war.” James 4:2”

Stopped in my tracks imagining what this looks like. Purity. Words without lies. Feel as though you have no one you can trust? Wonder who loves you enough to continually speak what is true, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy? Wisdom that is from above.ContinueContinue reading ““Wisdom that is from above is first pure.” James 3:17″

Vengeance is the Lord’s. And what a great mercy it is. For who of us is up to the task of doling out God’s omniscient wrath? I feel it. When it heats up the back of my neck. Defensiveness, retaliation when someone acts or speaks evil things. Someone needs to teach them a thing orContinueContinue reading ““The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:20″

When we were kids, we knew what was coming. A disappointed look, a twisting of the ear, a shout all the neighbors could hear. Some of us felt the sting of a belt. Others took the fear of no one really caring. Hide not from the chastening of the Lord. Unlike our earthly guardians whoContinueContinue reading ““But He for our profit.” Hebrews 12:10″

Is your soul dry? Come sit with the Holy Spirit. For He is able to quench any thirst. No matter the earthy loss, Jesus fills abundantly—more than we could ever think or ask. In fact, that is His whole intent. Israel crossed the desert doubting God’s provision and so never experienced the promised land. Wander notContinueContinue reading ““If anyone thirsts, let them come to Me and drink.” John 7:37 “