Do you ever say things which—without consideration of the times and circumstances—would seem to be contradictory? So does the Bible. Consider the following Old Testament examples: Isaiah 2:4: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.” (Micah 4:3 is identical). Beating Swords into Plowshares sculpture by Yevgeny Vuchetich, 1959 Joel… SWORDS AND SPEARS, PLOWSHARES AND PRUNING HOOKS

“But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.” (Jonah 2:9) Thanksgiving is a joyful time of year, isn’t it? Getting together with friends and family, magnificent feasts, everything at the store goes on sale—who could possibly be saddened by Thanksgiving?… A HEART OF THANKS IN THE BELLY OF THE FISH