Sometimes you take things for granted. Though I live in New England, among the more beautiful places in the world at this time of the year (people actually travel here to witness the grandeur of the Fall colors), I must confess that I often miss the artistry of God which is right in my back [...]
Archive for October, 2008
consider — Luke 12:13-31 — October 31
Posted in Uncategorized on October 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
no secrets — Luke 11:53 – 12:12 — October 30
Posted in Uncategorized on October 30, 2008 | 1 Comment »
“Almighty God, to Whom all hearts are open, and from Whom no secrets are hid…” So begins one of the opening prayers of the Episcopal/Anglican Communion service. It utters a basic truth about life. Because our God is omniscient and omnipresent (large theological words meaning that he’s all knowing and is present everywhere), there really [...]
Woe to you — Luke 11:37-52 — October 29
Posted in Uncategorized on October 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
It’s pretty clear that Jesus doesn’t coddle hypocrisy. In this string of “woes” giving to religious leaders, Jesus is opposing, in very clear terms, those who practice religion but not faith. He isn’t happy with those who make a pretense of clean religion on the outside, but not clean faith on the inside (Luke 11:38-41). [...]
on the lampstand — Luke 11:27-36 — October 28
Posted in Uncategorized on October 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Isn’t it wonderful that God has lit you up? I mean, here you are, checking out this blog, so that you can spend some thoughtful, prayerful time with Him, so that you can follow Him better in the world in which you live. Seriously, that’s so far ahead of where many people are, some who [...]
demonic — Luke 11:14-26 — October 27
Posted in Uncategorized on October 27, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Twenty years ago, psychologist Carl Menninger published a book, Whatever Became of Sin? Today, is there a need for Whatever Became of Evil? No doubt, we see evil in genocide, the abuse of children, or the disparity between rich and poor. But do we see evil in ourselves?
Jesus did. This selection clearly points to the concept [...]
Jesus on prayer — Luke 11:1-13 — October 25
Posted in Uncategorized on October 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Wouldn’t it be amazing to hear Jesus pray? This was the privilege of the first disciples who, after hearing Him pray, said, Lord, teach us to pray (Luke 11:1). What followed is our Lord’s teaching on how they and we should pray, timeless truths which grow out of his own experience of praying to His heavenly Father, [...]
welcoming Jesus — Luke 10:38-42 — October 24
Posted in Uncategorized on October 23, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Today’s little story of Jesus and His closest friends is fascinating. It’s been the subject of lots of commentary throughout history, and is taken by some as justification for the more “contemplative” or “religious” life. One medieval writer advises the reader, “leave your sister to do the mundane service; but you, come to the convent [...]
What to do? –Luke 10:25-37 — October 23
Posted in Uncategorized on October 22, 2008 | 1 Comment »
The parable of the Good Samaritan is so well known, that it’s entered into our cultural vocabulary. Whenever we speak of those who are prone to good works, we call them “Good Samaritans”. The social service agency that reaches out to those who are suicidal is simply called “The Samaritans”. We know that this story is [...]
rejoice! — Luke 10:17-24 — October 22
Posted in Uncategorized on October 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The 72 disciples were rejoicing! Sent by Jesus to cure the sick and preach the kingdom of God (Luke 10:9), they had done this and more: Lord, in Your Name even the demons submit to us! (Luke 10:17). Jesus was rejoicing, at that same hour. Having toiled to train first the twelve, and now these [...]
few laborers –Luke 10:1-16 — October 21
Posted in Uncategorized on October 20, 2008 | 1 Comment »
It’s a common complaint in the church. It even has a percentage attached to it: 20/80. 20% of people in the church do 80% of the work (not sure who made that one up, but it sure sounds right to those of us on “the inside” of churchworks). And those of us who quote this [...]
