They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. Psalm 135:17 Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Mark 4:9 To whom can I give warning? Who will listen when I speak?Their ears are closed, and they cannot hear.They scorn the word of the Lord. They don’t want to listen at all. Jeremiah 6:10 …
Continue reading “They have ears but cannot hear” (what I learned at the audiology office)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-16 I have been thinking …
Continue reading The only answer is to “Be devoted to one another in love”
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.1 John 4:18-19 Over this past month or so I have spent a great deal of …
Continue reading Jesus is a beautiful story – there’s no need to be so “Angry about God”
This morning, reading our daily devotional together, Rebekah and I came across the following passage I'd like to share. The section of the book reflects on our journey through Holy Week on the road from Palm Sunday to Easter. The scripture comes from Luke 20: So they watched Jesus and sent spies who pretended to …
Continue reading Understanding Jesus isn’t really possible outside of surrender #holyweek
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”Jesus - John 16:33 Today, the fourth Sunday in Lent, my post comprises the following book excerpt. Read it, consider the situation the world is in today, and then pray …
Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read. The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because …
Continue reading If I am wrong – and I often am – I want to fall on the side of grace, not judgment
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.1 Corinthians 12:4-6 These past few weeks have involved a lot of visits to eye doctors for my …
Continue reading Everyone Counts! Why we need even the weakest among us!
For unto us a Child is born,Unto us a Son is given;And the government will be upon His shoulder.And His name will be calledWonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Of the increase of His government and peaceThere will be no end,Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,To order it and establish it with judgment and justiceFrom that time forward, …
Continue reading It’s no accident God delivered hope in a baby!
Often, especially when I have trouble getting my writing engine warmed up, a picture prompt can help. So I sat on the front stoop with Max to see if he would cooperate. It was our first selfie together since the beard went away and, while he showed his usual disdain for the Paparazzi, I managed …
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love …
Continue reading Jesus, the Prodigal Son, Tony Campolo, and Ben Hogan
Derek Maul: Words, Photographs, and Food for the Journey 