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
Today’s chapter is very short, and all in red, indicating the words of Jesus. All red, that is, except for the usual prelude about who is listening and learning, and who is listening but not learning a thing. The tax collectors and sinners are listening, presumably to learn. The Pharisees, again, are in a bit … More Luke 15: Priceless
It was fascinating to read this account of a dinner invitation while many of us are planning special dinners during the Christmas Season. The chapter started with Jesus breaking bread, along with other guests, at the home of a Pharisee. Did you love as much as I did that the first thing Jesus did when … More Luke 14: The Counsel and the Cost
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
September has become a strange month for me. I sometimes don’t know where to look. I was a fourth grade teacher in my younger days, and September was a forward-looking month back then. Everything was new. New students! New responsibilities! New possibilities! New clothes! đ Now decades later, that perspective has changed. September has me … More Remember
Have you ever wondered, “Seriously, what’s my problem?” At some time, for some reason, maybe you have questioned why you act or react in a certain way, and do it over and over again. Or maybe you have wondered where your joy went, or your passion, and why it left. You used to be much … More Am I Enough?
This week is Passion Week. Many this week will follow Jesus in the scriptures, on his path to Golgotha. Feeling Judas’ betrayal. Hearing the screaming mob. Watching the judging, the beating, the scattered friends and disciples, the suicide of the betrayer. Witnessing the tears of the fearful friend. How shocking it was to those who … More The Remedy
It was the second time Jesus talked about it. Some time ago, when Jesus shared his famous “Lord’s Prayer” with his disciples, he told them to forgive others, as they had been forgiven. Now, in this fig tree episode, they were amazed that what Jesus had said to the fig tree had come to pass. (And … More How To Keep An Open Heart
Those who regularly follow my blog probably sense that I prefer to write about God’s character than I do about my — or our — lack. But sometimes my own glaring lack of godliness becomes too much to overlook, and this week I’ve noticed a “showering with my socks on” kind of discomfort that eventually … More Heart Gardening
(Caveat: You will notice that some of what you read will look doctrinally sketchy. I write it that way on purpose, simply to jar our thinking, just a bit.) I love to hear about God’s mercy. Never tire of it, in fact, because God’s mercy and grace is my hope of everything good. How we … More Giving What You Want To Get
