The Sunday before Christmas 1991 dawned bright and crisp, and our city was a glistening Christmas card after Saturday’s snow storm. Noisy snow squeaked underfoot as I trudged hurriedly to the entrance of the church. I was the worship leader and running late. I had dawdled way too long at home, mulling over whether or … More Five First Christmases
I wonder what Mary was thinking, lying there in a stall for animals, about to give birth. The birthing story we have imagined might not be perfectly accurate, but this westerner has always envisioned it thus: No helping women around, no doula, no midwife. Just Joseph. And the smell of fresh hay mixed with the … More “How did I get here?”
Does it feel both odd and appropriate that we should be reading this chapter on Christmas Eve? Odd, perhaps, in the midst of our preparations for the celebration of Jesus’ birthday, but wonderful that, at the same time, we can rejoice in his victory over death. After this journey we have been on with Jesus … More Luke 24: A New Chapter
We are at the beginning of the end of Jesus ministry on earth. It is the turning point of history and of the relationship between God and Man, and a fulfillment, of sorts, of Simeon’s prayer of praise in the temple so long ago. There is so much here—what makes for greatness, the foretelling of … More Luke 22: The Beginning
We get closer to Bethlehem as Christmas Day draws near, and Jesus is getting closer to Jerusalem. In reading through today’s chapter, we can see some of what is on his heart and mind. As he passes through Jericho, Jesus looks up at a man sitting on a branch of a sycamore tree, obviously watching … More Luke 19: The Seeker
Jesus knows something about life, and how we handle it. He spoke to his disciples and others about it, often in parables. I wish I could tell you what the first parable in this chapter is talking about when it says the dishonest, steward should “make friends by unrighteous wealth” so they will be his … More Luke 16: Honour and Faithfulness
There’s something about the red words that draws me in—and this chapter is all in red. It’s Jesus talking. All red, that is, except for the usual prelude setting the scene, telling us the actors. Telling us who is listening and learning, and who is listening but not learning a thing. The tax collectors and … More Luke 15: Priceless
It was fascinating to read this chapter’s account of a dinner party where Jesus is breaking bread, along with other guests, at the home of a Pharisee. I loved that the first thing Jesus did when he got there was heal a man with edema—-on the sabbath, yet again. Here, once again, the kingdom of … More Luke 14: The Counsel and the Cost
As today’s chapter began, it was sometime after the last episode when the scribes and Pharisees began lying in wait for Jesus, to “vehemently incite” him and challenge him angrily on whatever he said. On this particular day, thousands were assembled to listen to Jesus talk—so many that they might trample on one another. Jesus … More Luke 12: The Only Good Fear
This chapter starts with Jesus “praying in a certain place”. It doesn’t surprised me that one of his disciples—maybe the spokesman for them all—said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” I’m thinking it would be wise to pay close attention to what the Master said about prayer when … More Luke 11: Jesus talks about Prayer
This chapter starts with the heading “The Calling of the First Disciples”. Until now, Jesus traveled and ministered alone (which, oddly, I hadn’t noticed before today). Some of the men he eventually called might have been in the crowds that were constantly searching him out “to hear the word of God”. Certainly, living in or … More Luke 5: The Beginning
There is so much to encourage us in this chapter. And so much to learn from. We start the chapter at the temptation in the wilderness, and end it with Jesus’ introduction to his public ministry. The purpose he was born for is so very near! At the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit came upon … More Luke 4: The Big IF
FAY ROWE 
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