“Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."- Matthew …
Our Father who is in heaven,uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdomso that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. Give us the bread we need for today. Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you,just as we also forgive those who have wronged us. And don’t lead us into temptation,but …
When we walk with the Lord In the light of His Word,What a glory He sheds on our way; While we do His good will, He abides with us still,And with all who will trust and obey. John Henry Sammis (1887)“Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise builder who …
Continue reading the bottom line for Jesus (hint – he’s not that interested in what we say)
So birds. I haven't had the time lately to watch and take photos. But yesterday and today there has been such a flurry of activity around our feeder I had to set aside five minutes and grab some photographs. My favorite shots are action. Birds in the air - flying, landing, taking off - are …
Continue reading My first bird photos of the winter – enjoy!
First, a word from our sponsor (that would be Jesus!) “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 You’ll receive the same judgment you give. Whatever you deal out will be dealt out to you. 3 Why do you see the splinter that’s in your brother’s or sister’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye? 4 How …
Continue reading my pearls are getting trampled and I’ve got this log in my eye…
“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person!" "If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.""If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for …
Continue reading Jesus is all about retaliation (not pacifism, but activism)
Jesus speaks truth and life and grace into our lives today...
I say to you that unless your righteousness is greater than the righteousness of the legal experts and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:20 My Wednesday evening men's covenant group is at the front end of what is already proving to be a fascinating study, focused on Matthew's …
Continue reading our mandate as people who accept Jesus’ invitation to be salt and light
“But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.Hebrews 10:38-39 Today's post has two pieces: First, my absolute delight at the beauty of intentional community and the …
Continue reading So Shine Already! (An encouraging evening and a devotional gem)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3 One of the many really great things about the guys I am meeting with in small groups at WFPC is how smart they are, how sharp, how focused in terms of their commitment to read, to share ideas, to listen, and to learn. …
Continue reading Do we need to “be” blessed, or are we “already” blessed?
Derek Maul: Words and Photographs for the Journey 