SICK FOLK

What does the community of God look like? What is it SUPPOSED to look like? We know the stories. Jesus ate with sinners. Who did he have issues with? So very often, it was religious leaders. But we still don’t get it. Jesus ate with SINNERS. He had issues with many RELIGIOUS LEADERS. Why do…

Read More

THE GRACE OF FORGIVENESS

“Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) says: I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the…

Read More

US vs. GOD

WE ARE…. Are more fragile than we think we are. Are more self-righteous than we think we are. Are more broken than we think we are. Are prouder than we think we are. Are less in control than we think we are. Are more judgmental than we think we are. Are more lustful than we…

Read More

BECAUSE I SAID SO….

Anyone who interacts with children will immediately understand the temptation to simply reply with “Because I Said so.” when wanting them to obey. There are two ways imperatives can be given. The way of force, which includes judgment, has the attitude of “Why can’t you just do as I say?” The other responsive imperative takes…

Read More

LOVING OTHERS WITH ACTION

Why do I have difficulty loving some people? Luke 10:30-34 (NIV) In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road,…

Read More

THE SOURCE OF OUR RESOURCES

The twelve disciples continue to be a source of inspiration and learning. This week, we see them stumble again, experiencing again the hard lesson that Jesus is the only one who can meet their needs, whether they were looking for bread to eat, or peace in a storm. How often do we stumble over this…

Read More

THE GREAT TENSION

Christ prayed for us to be in the world, but not of the world. Innocent as doves but wise as serpents. In. Not of. Being in the world means we are NOT to separate ourselves from those that need Christ. “In the world” means being exposed  to  the sin  of  the  world without actually participating, yourself. It does NOT mean that…

Read More

PROMISE AND POWER

In an article from March 29, 2021, Gallup reported (Jeffrey M. Jones, Gallup News) that less than half of adult Americans have a formal membership with a specific house of worship, down more than 20 points over the past two decades. Gallup reports that the decline in church membership is primarily a function of the…

Read More