Our Material Blessings
Money and material blessings are not in themselves wrong. We don’t waste them. We may be tightfisted, but we are generous in ways that please God. We are generous, knowing that material things will disappear when God’s kingdom comes. Then, the only things that will last are those that have eternal value, not material. Enjoyment… Read More »
Different Payment
Luke 14:1-14: We are called to look for a different kind of payment for our work than what the world looks for. Jesus ministered to the sick, the poor, women, lepers, others who ranked low in the social order. Even to the rich when they realized how poor they were in spiritual wealth. We are… Read More »
Called to New Ideas and New Ways
Luke 11:29-54: The times were catching up. Jesus brought new insights, but the leaders were too concerned with keeping their old ways. We’re called to follow Jesus even into new ideas, different ways to talk about Him: using the Internet, for example. If we begin by answering Jesus’ call for us, He can change the… Read More »
Ornery As We Are, Jesus Keeps On Loving Us
Jesus loved the people. Tired as He was, in need of time with His disciples after their missionary journeys, He couldn’t turn away people who came to Him. He loved them too much. Jesus was touched by their spiritual needs, but He also recognized the people’s physical needs. He reached out to heal both, as… Read More »
When Things Go Bump in the Night
I remember times as a child when I would wake, afraid some monster was in my room about to attack me. My parents were in a nearby bedroom, but I was terrified to call out for them. No monster was there, but even today as adults our imaginations can remind us of all kinds of… Read More »
Prepare the way for the Lord
The time was coming. John, Jesus’ cousin, was now sent to begin proclaiming its coming. To begin with: those who have are called to share what they have with those who don’t have. A simple sharing. It begins with repentance and sharing. With not wanting more than we need John preached what God gave him… Read More »
Is a Christian “nation” even possible? Perhaps the term is an oxymoron.
Some of my thoughts on the idea of a “Christian” nation: Jesus was given over to the Roman overlords by a subset of his own people who, among other things, disagreed with his gripes against some of the religious leaders. Jesus’ teachings against the hypocrisy of some of those leaders taking money from the poorer… Read More »