Matthew 17:1-13 Putting Jesus Down to My Level In The Lord of the Rings, by J. R. R. Tolkien, the theme of hidden glory is one of the themes running through Tolkien’s masterpiece. Consider the various characters. Strider, the Ranger, is, in fact, the King of Gondor. The elves, usually cloaked in human form, occasionally show their true radiance. And Gandalf the Grey, whom the Hobbits mostly appreciate for his fireworks displays, is much more than they can imagine in... Read more
40 Simple Thoughts for 40 Days of Lent Below are links to 40 simple thoughts for 40 days of Lent. These links connect to simple thoughts that I have written. I hope these simple thoughts for Lent will help you in your spiritual journey with Jesus this year. Jesus __________ Jesus Was Jesus Came Jesus Grew Jesus Talks Jesus Listens Jesus Sickened Jesus Sleeps Jesus Teaches Jesus Tears Jesus Saves Jesus Prays Jesus Thinks Jesus Drives Jesus Jokes Jesus Strengthens... Read more
7 Proofs of God’s Promises When I Trust Him February 21, 2017 Year A Psalm 119:57-64 Many people try to make promises, but they often fail. So it is natural for us to come to God and wonder if He can be trusted. However, this psalm reminds me that God is a promise-keeping God. God makes very powerful promises to those who trust Him. Here are seven proofs of God’s promises when I trust Him. 1. God promises to be my... Read more
Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 What Is the Point of Life? We come to a section of Ecclesiastes that is often quoted. As a matter of fact, the first eight verses were the lyrics to a top charting song by The Byrds in the 1970s. I have the song here to play for you. Just listen to the song – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 set to music. Some say the reason that the word “turn” is so often used in the song is because of... Read more
Jack Graham Should Stop Hurting the SBC Recently, Prestonwood Baptist Church, a Southern Baptist church in Texas decided to hold one million dollars of offerings directed to the Cooperative Program in escrow. The church is under the leadership of Dr. Jack Graham, a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Instead of forwarding this money (like every other SBC church) to support missions work around the world, the church decided to hold their contribution. The reason given was alleged “disrespectfulness”... Read more
Blessed Are the Weird: A Manifesto for Creatives by Jacob Nordby In 2012, Jacob Nordby spun out a poem that began: Blessed are the Weird People– poets, misfits, writers, mystics, heretics, painters & troubadours– for they teach us to see through different eyes… This book expands on the famous poem. He helps the reader to understand how important being weird is to creativity. Nordby encourages the reader to engage their creative side. He shares the characteristics of “weird” people. They... Read more
8 Ways to Listen to God February 16, 2017 Year A Psalm 119:33-40 8 WAYS TO LISTEN TO GOD 1. Listen to His instruction with the goal of keeping them (Psalm 119:33) The psalmist reminds me that when God teaches me something, it is meant to be kept. I learn something in order to keep it. 2. Seek to understand in order to obey (Psalm 119:34) I learn something from God. But if I don’t understand, then I need to... Read more
5 Ways to Grow Using the Bible February 15, 2017 Year A Psalm 119:9-16 1. Keep God’s Word like you would keep your word to someone else (Psalm 119:9) You know how you keep a promise to someone else? We call that “keeping your word.” It means that what comes out of your mouth is really from your heart. You seek, to be honest, true, and pure. You seek to do what you say. A modern word for this is... Read more
Ecclesiastes 2:1-26 How Can I Be Happy? “There is but one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.” Napoleon is supposed to have made that statement after his humiliating retreat from Moscow in the winter of 1812. The combination of stubborn Russian resistance and a severe Russian winter was too much for the French army, and its expected sublime victory was turned into shameful defeat. As part of his quest for “the good life,” King Solomon examined everything from the... Read more
Ephesians 2:1-10 Love and Forgiveness During a children’s sermon one Sunday morning, the pastor Glenn Schaeffer held up a summer shirt that he wore around the house. Schaeffer told the children that someone said the shirt was ugly and should be thrown away. “I’m having trouble forgiving the person who said those mean things,” He said. “Do you think I should forgive that person?” His daughter, Alicia, six, raised her hand. “You should.” “But why? This person hurt my feelings,”... Read more
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