true disciples — Matthew 16:21-28 — November 14

Peter had only just clarified for himself and for the other followers of Jesus Who Jesus actually was:  You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:14).  And indeed, it is this confession of the identity and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth which is at the heart of our faith, the rock [...]

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yeastiness — Matthew 16:1-12 — November 12

Yeast is an amazing thing.  Seemingly inactive in its dry form, yet quietly alive with the addition of some liquid and some warmth.  It slowly takes over the dough in which it is placed, turning something flat and ordinary into something beautiful and delicious.  Such is the case, Jesus says, with His Kingdom at work [...]

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at his feet — Matthew 15:29-39 — November 11

Returning from the region of the Canaanites, Jesus returned to the Galilee region, where He had become well-known.  As He went up on the mountain from which He had earlier delivered extensive teaching to the disciples alone (Matthew 5-7), this time He allowed the crowds to come up to Him as well.  As the disciples [...]

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the dogs — Matthew 15:21-28 — November 10

Though I own a wonderful dog myself — Abby, named after Abishag of 1 Kings 1, a young woman who kept King David warm in his old age — I remember being attacked by a pack of dogs once.  It was while I was in college, walking to a play rehearsal.  On my way to [...]

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distant hearts — Matthew 15:1-20 — November 9

Our life with God can’t be done by checklist.
Although there are many aspects to life which require careful attention to outward detail — baking a cake, flying a plane, balancing a bank account — our life with God doesn’t work like that.  Though it’s true that there are specific commandments and directions in the Scripture [...]

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Feeding Together — Mark 6:32-44 — November 8

Church of the Nativity Flock Fodder
Week of November 8, 2009
 
The Psalm: 146
1
Hallelujah!  Praise the LORD, O my soul! *
I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
2
Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
for there is no [...]

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of two minds — Matthew 14:1-12 — November 5

Herod couldn’t make up his mind.  He was furious at John the Baptist for telling him that it was unlawful that he married his brother’s wife (presumably while his brother was still living), and wanted to put John to death.  But, on the other hand, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a [...]

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unbelief — Matthew 13:53-58 — November 4

Throughout my years as a follower of Jesus, I’ve kept in touch with what the Lord’s up to in other parts of the world.  Of particular interest has been the church in Africa, once referred to by white people as “the dark continent”, but now assuredly a place where the light of Christ is shining [...]

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priceless — Matthew 13:44-52 — November 3

Some things are just priceless.  Though I’ve seen priceless jewels, artifacts, and documents, nothing in this world comes closer to being priceless than a person.  Think about the miracle of that person’s birth, their life experiences, their potential for immense good, as well is incalculable evil.  Each one of them created in the image of [...]

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the righteous — Matthew 13:36-43 — November 2

Once again we note the importance of asking questions.  As Jesus finished telling the parable of the weeds (Matthew 13:24-30) and several others, the crowds dispersed as Jesus left them.  As someone commented, “they got the sermon CD, the Jesus T-Shirt and wristband, and went home to wear and shelve them.”  But His disciples approached Him… [...]

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