~ Genesis 11:1-11/Acts 2 ~ It’s Pentecost, which means that it’s been fifty days since Jesus resurrection. The day was actually a Jewish festival celebrating the spring harvest, and the revelation of the law at Mount Sinai. But on this particular Pentecost a new happening. Luke tells the story here … Read More
~ John 17:6-26 ~ We live in a very divided world. There have, of course, been divides between peoples for centuries. But divisiveness seems to have increased exponentially in recent years. It’s not just that divides exist but that the lines seem to have hardened. We seem to all have … Read More
Psalm 67/Genesis 12:1-3 ‘Bless’ – a good word! Simply, ‘to bless’ is to confer well-being or prosperity upon someone. To be blessed is to enjoy happiness, to be fortunate. We all would like to be blessed. I would like God to be gracious to me and bless me. Psalm 67 … Read More
~ Acts 11:1-18/Acts 15 ~ Acts 11:1-18 Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the “Others” had also accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with … Read More
~ Luke 6:43-49 ~ Building metaphors abound in scripture. They are all intended to teach spiritual lessons. Paul often used building metaphors in his letters to describe the community of the church. Ephesians speaks of “the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus … Read More
~ Psalm 30/John 21:1-19 ~ The song the choir just sang (Come, Ye Sinners) is a southern Appalachian hymn from the 19th century. It’s a revival song—a bona fide camp-meeting invitation song to get sinners to walk the aisle and get saved. Now, revival songs might make you feel uncomfortable. … Read More