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- Every Good Thing - Every Good Thing: It’s hard to realize that this song, this Psalm 34, was written by David at a time when he had fled for his life out of the clutches of Saul and the Philistines, and took refuge in a cave where many other desperate men had joined him. The Message version of this passage reads like one giving their faith testimony to others, maybe those who gathered in the cave. He is also speaking to us when we’re confronted with trouble, adversity, sadness, and tells us to be joyful, to call on the Lord, to give him a hopeful smile, and to realize that we belong to Him. Continue reading
- Embrace the Air - Embrace the Air: I’ve never jumped out of plane. For a long time, I wanted to try hang-gliding, but never got the chance. I have been passenger in a glider, pulled aloft by a plane to 2,300 feet and cut loose, the Swiss Alps all around! I love the assurance that God gives Isaiah. We all have rivers of difficulty flowing through our lives, often at unexpected times and in unexpected ways. Many times, we try to go it alone until we realize that the water is too deep and suddenly we know we can’t do it, and we cry out, “Help me, Jesus!" Continue reading
- Compassion and Generosity - Two Copper Coins: Street Scene - There's that guy, standing at the corner, holding a sign: “Homeless. Need food”. Or, maybe the sign reads - “Will Work for Food”. Then there is that plea on television showing sad, abused little puppies or kittens, and asking for donations. And, of course, we are asked to help victims of a tsunamis, or the crisis in Ukraine. And all those pleas tend to give us pause when the next "opportunity" presents itself. What's with us? Are we distrustful of the needs that seem to find their way to us? Do we wonder how our donations will be spent. Do we read too much into it? Before we give do we check the "administrative overhead" numbers? Do we give only to our alma mater? How about the food drive to help the local Food Pantry? Does our generous nature change when we weigh it against "what will it cost us?" Compassion and generosity: those are two copper coins, what are they worth to you? Continue reading
- Easter Sunday - I Have Seen the Lord! Can you imagine how Mary Magdalene was feeling on that morning, Easter morning? She went from desperation to elation in a heartbeat. There stood the risen Christ. She is amazed, cannot believe her eyes. She moves to embrace Him, and He cautions her not to. She had seen the whole tragic drama play out there on Calvary. The grief and sadness that she had experienced since Calvary, was shed from her like an old cloak. She goes to his disciples, as Jesus instructed her. But imagine how the disciples took that news. John has told them in detail what has happened to Jesus, how he died and was buried. And, now, she’s telling them that she has seen the Lord. What?! Continue reading
- Holy Week Saturday - Saturday in Jerusalem: The sounds of crying, wailing, wrenching expressions of grief and loss, could be heard along the side streets, throughout Jerusalem. In an upper room, site of Jesus' Last Supper, just three days before, followers of Jesus huddled, a mixture of sadness, anger and fear. The disciples seemed to be lost in prayer and grief. Peter sat with his head down, still reeling from his own words of denial. John struggled, trying to recall what else Jesus had said to them beyond that phrase, "On the third day" that echoed in his mind. What does it now mean? He is dead! Barnabas, the elder, reached out to all with calming words of encouragement, that even he had a hard time feeling. Continue reading
- Holy Week Friday - Good Friday: Kishle Prison, Jerusalem -- From his throne, high above the courtyard, Pilate watched the crowd. When both Jesus and Barabbas stood before him, he rose and addressed the crowd below: “Which of these men, should I release; Jesus, who has done nothing wrong, or Barabbas, a convicted criminal? Which one should receive a pardon? The crowd … chanted give us Barabbas! Pilate asked again, “Which of these two men, should I released”, and the crowd answered, even more loudly, give us Barabbas! What, then for Jesus of Nazareth? The crowd began to chant, ‘crucify him!’ Continue reading
- Holy Week Thursday - Jesus on Maundy Thursday: When it was evening, Jesus, while at table with the Twelve, said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I shall not eat it again until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” And while they were eating, Jesus took bread; He said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them saying, “Take and eat; This is My body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of Me. Continue reading
- Holy Week Wednesday - Jesus on Wednesday: The Bible doesn't say what the Lord did on this Wednesday of Holy Week. Scholars speculate that after two exhausting days in Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples spent this day resting in Bethany in anticipation of the remaining days of the Passover festivities. However, we know that in the evening, Jesus was attending a celebration dinner at the home of Simon the Leper, along with Lazarus and his sisters. Toward the end of the meal, Mary lovingly anointed the feet of Jesus with oil of spikenard, an expensive perfume. Continue reading
- Holy Week Tuesday - On Tuesday morning, Jesus and his disciples, having spent the night in Bethany, returned to Jerusalem. They passed the withered fig tree on their way, and Jesus used the tree as an example as he spoke to his companions about the importance of faith fed on the Word. Back at the Temple, religious leaders are upset at Jesus for establishing himself as a spiritual authority. Jesus turns around and pronounces harsh judgment on them, calling them blind guides ... Continue reading
- Holy Week Monday - Jesus on Monday: Jesus and his disciples spent the night in Bethany, but, in the morning, returned to Jerusalem. They entered the temple through Solomon’s Porch that was crowded with tables of moneychangers and sellers of pigeons and cattle. He picked up a small piece of rope, using it as a whip, he ran around knocking over the tables and spilling coins on the ground. Barabbas’ encounter with Jesus never quite left his mind, as the Zealots gathered to finalize the details of the planned raid on the Roman supply depot, obtaining food and other supplies for the hurting families in their community. Early afternoon they heard the report of Jesus in the temple and were encouraged by that disruption. Continue reading
- Palm Sunday - Palm Sunday: Jerusalem was packed with pilgrims from all over Judea and Galilee, coming for all of the activities and services of Passover. Already the baptismal pools that ringed the temple were busy, and a large marketplace had been created right there on the main thorough fare, with pens of animals and cages of birds and chickens. Everything was ready for the full week of Passover, Holy Week. Families of pilgrims looked forward to all of the activities during this blessed week. The long procession, led by Jesus seated on a donkey, had started early for the short distance to the Damascus Gate. The large crowd was waving palm fronds, singing and praising Jesus, making such a racket. Will this be the year that we relive the Crucifixion and understand the personal nature of that sacrifice and forgiveness? Continue reading
- 10 Days to Calvary - Contentment: Contentment is an interesting word. The Urban Dictionary defines contentment this way: “Contentment is true peace of mind." The Psalm of David, Psalm 131, is one of fifteen songs of ascents. They are called songs of ascents because they reminded the people of God’s grace, mercy, protection and salvation, a formula for contentment. Another formula for contentment can be found in Philippians 4, where Paul reminds us that contentment is something to be learned, a discipline of quietness and calming your mind. Continue reading
- 17 Days to Calvary - David Struggled, Too: The season of Lent is a spiritually dark time and the weather during this time, doesn’t always help our mood. February is behind us and in ten days we will be out of March. I think we all look forward to April with hope and thoughts of crocuses and daffodils, and the greening of our lawns. What gives us hope? Foremost, God is our God, whether things are going well or not. Whether the sun is out or we’re in the midst of a rain shower, he is still God. As Christians, we are challenged to remember who God is in our lives and to stand firm in our faith, no matter the sun, the rain, or difficult circumstances that we may experience. Continue reading
- You Had to be There - You Had to Be There: My Bible study group has just completed Exodus. I don’t know how much time we spent trying to figure out how the Hebrews could possibly smelt gold there in the desert for the temple as God required, or how long they traveled before they set up camp, or where they found all the material and all the talent to create all the finely detailed material and items to be contained within the Tabernacle. They did and God was pleased. I think you had to be there to understand. What Scripture doesn’t say, God gave us imagination to fill in some of those blanks, to bring deeper meaning out of a hanging sentence or connecting two ideas, or the order in which miracles occurred. Continue reading
- 24 Days to Calvary - 25 Days to Calvary: It’s the rainy season in Judah, early winter, Jesus and the disciples continued on their journey. For some it is their favorite time of year, temperatures are moderate, very pleasant during the day, a little chilly at night. It can be windy and a bit of rain almost daily. Travel is a might difficult, the way is muddy underfoot and a little treacherous, especially on the hills. Despite the weather conditions, crowds continue to follow Jesus as we journey on. He seems to welcome all and spends time in conversations, blessing the children, encouraging all, even the Gentiles.We travel on, undeterred by the rain and the mud under our feet, through these dark days of Lent, knowing what’s coming and comforted by the knowledge of the Glorious Sunday that awaits us. Continue reading
- Love with Legs - Love with Legs: As we spend time in the Word, we become more and more aware that there are reoccurring themes that seem to play out through all of the teachings and commands of our Lord. Themes, like; love others, or judge not, or I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. Is there one theme that is foundational to our Christian beliefs, our walk with Christ? What Jesus said when he appeared following his Resurrection. We know what scripture tells us: Peace be with you. But, look what follows: As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Jesus is sending us? To do what? Then it dawns on us – forgive! Continue reading
- 31 Days to Calvary - Easter? Are We There Yet? Yes, and no. The days of Lent have just begun. We have traveled with Jesus, soaking up His ministry, reveling in the mighty works we have witnessed and, yet, we are not sure who He is, this Carpenter we have known and followed for two years. Some marker events are behind us. We heard about that turning water into wine, was it true? That was before we met him. We were amazed when he healed lepers, and what a performance on the hillside there near Bethesda. I can still taste the fish and the bread. What have we learned in these travels? I wonder about that. I’m not sure we fully understand where were going and what Jesus is going to accomplish. Most of us are convinced that Jesus is going to overthrow the domination of Rome and free us. I don’t know how that’s going to happen. So, we walk on. 39 Days to Jerusalem. Continue reading
- Determined Faith - Determined Faith: When we read Hebrews chapter 11 we find ourselves in a history lesson, but more than that. As we read through the chapter we encounter nearly 20 references to “It was by faith…”, and we understand that faith in God, trust in God, is key to understanding God’s lesson. Question: Do you trust God with your tomorrow? Question: Does our belief or faith inform our understanding of the truth? Or, does our understanding of the truth, inform our belief or faith? Question: Does Satan talk to you? Do you even believe in the existence of a devil? God, give me grace. Continue reading
- 38 Days to Calvary - The Least of These: Yesterday, I received a flag in the mail, just a little 3x5 piece of cloth, blue and yellow, the flag of Ukraine. A ‘thank you’ gift for a small gesture. I didn’t need a thank you gift, but there it is, now in my window. Perhaps it was a little reminder of something important? Yes! A nudge from the Lord, saying ‘Keep remembering My lessons’.(Which one, Lord? “All of them!”) You do something for someone, maybe out of the urging of the Holy Spirit within, or out of your kindness or generosity, whatever you want to call it, and you hear: “You didn’t need to do that.” Need? No, not at all. Caring, love, compassion, friendship, etc., pick one. I love random, anonymous acts of kindness, and I have seen it work wonders. The least of these? Don’t you recognize them? Each one is Jesus, you know, the one you say you love. Continue reading
- Ash Wednesday - Lectio Divina: Lectio Divina? What is that? First of all, the phrase is Latin. You can probably figure this out. Divina would be divine or Holy. Lectio looks like the word lectionary, or reading of the Word. So, Lectio Divina means “divine reading”, or Holy Reading in Latin. It is actually more than a simple reading, it’s a meditative way of reading the Bible in which we let go of our own agendas and open ourselves to what God is trying to say to us. We often get down on ourselves, don’t we? Maybe even wondering if God can love us. Haunted by moments in the past that weren’t exactly times to be proud of. I love the movie, Sound of Music. There is a song, “Something Good”, in the sound track. He sees the “something good” we have done along the roads of our lives. Those “not very goods” will not be held against us. I may be reaching to get my point across, but the truth is that God love us, His Son died for us to cleanse us. Our gratitude for this amazing gift should repeatedly lead us back to His Word. Continue reading
