For the last five years, I’ve walked the neighborhood with Zoe almost every morning–sometimes multiple times a day. She’s a focused dog and walked on a short leash at my side. Even when other dogs bark at us from behind fences or windows, she tenses but very rarely reacts. I’ve imagined multiple scenarios in my head about what I would do if another dog (or mountain lion) attacked us, but I’ve never had to put those plans into action–until today.

I chose to dissect Ruth as a test subject for my biblical connections project because it is a short book that is fairly self contained. I didn’t expect to find anything surprising or insightful as I worked out how to standardize or automate my process for importing and tagging the text. Never underestimate the Bible.

Wow, it’s been over a year and a half since I last posted. Life has been busy, and I’ve been trying to keep up with everything else. I’m shocked that I didn’t post through the Intuit layoff and transition to SwineTech or all the crazy things I’ve done and learned since then. Here’s an update

Some people have a real aversion to New Years resolutions because of how often they fail or how cliche they sound. New Years resolutions often remind people of their past failures to stand by their own commitments, and there is pain there. I firmly believe in regular reflection on the past in order to recognize places to change and move. Intentional course corrections are a vital part of navigating this chaotic life.

If you’ve ever stumbled across Exodus 29:20 (or Leviticus 8:23 or Leviticus 14:14-28) and wondered why Moses put blood on Aaron’s earlobe, thumb, and toe, you’re not alone. This is the kind of off-the-wall question youth pastors dread. But as strange as it may seem, this symbolic act is packed with meaning—and it connects to other peculiar passages in the Bible in ways that are both fascinating and profound.