Learning to love others the way Jesus loves us
Nahum chapters 2&3(Image credit unknown) Article © Christopher Jones 2016 The great palaces of Nineveh are long gone. What is left is uninhabitable rubble and dust. Even that was unseen until archaeologists unearthed it. And what archaeologists discovered in the last century was blown up by ISIS (Daesh) forces five years ago. Every great culture… Continue reading What will we build?
Nahum chapter 1. It seems like every blockbuster movie or popular novel tries to create a sequel that matches the drama and characters of the original. Most of the time, the sequel falls flat. Either the original writers don't return or there's some formula that they try to squeeze the story into or they just… Continue reading Nineveh: the Sequel
Psalm 61. These are strange days. No one knows what the next weeks or months hold. Insecurity breeds fear which leads to irrational behavior. But for those who know the Lord, there is a refuge. From the end of the earth, from the end of our resources, from the end of everything familiar, God hears… Continue reading The Rock that is higher than I.
Matthew 14:14-33 At the church I attend here in Las Vegas we are working through a study of what it means to be a Jesus follower. This morning's reading included then section of Matthew where Jesus walked on water. I went back a few verses for context and I think someone who reads this may… Continue reading Take heart.
Jonah 4 So, one might think Jonah would get excited when the whole city of Nineveh repented of their violence and false religions. But no. Jonah was ticked off. Why? Because he decided the God was too gracious, too merciful, too patient, and too loving. He certainly didn't think so when he was surrounded by… Continue reading Jonah’s drama, God’s mercy
Jonah 3 Chapter 3 starts off in much the same way as chapter 1: "The word of the Lord came to Jonah." It's almost like God says, okay, let's try this again, a second chance to get it right. I am so grateful for second chances! Even in teaching, I find I improve so much… Continue reading A do-over.
Then Jonah prayed. Jonah 2 What does it take for us to turn to God? Jonah had to book passage on an outbound ship, survive a terrifying storm, convince a bunch of sailors to pitch him overboard, and get swallowed by a great fish where he was tangled in seaweed and looking death in the… Continue reading Jonah: When all else fails
Jonah 1:17 And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. Full stop. Let me think about this. Jonah figures he would be better off dead than to obey the Lord and preach in Nineveh. He did not seek the Lord in this decision, and he did not consider what might happen to… Continue reading Jonah: Swallowed and wallowing
Their gods, his god, the God, the LORD. There is a flow to the story of the sailors of the ship bound for Spain that is worth considering. When Jonah paid his fare and went below deck to take a nap, it was just another day at work. ( aside: How could Jonah sleep knowing… Continue reading Jonah: the sailors.
Jonah 1:1-16 If you want action, Jonah is the story for you. In the first 15 verses Jonah hears from God, runs from God, gets on a boat with sailors who served many gods, sleeps through a storm, gets caught in his disobedience, and gets tossed overboard. At the same time, God is also active.… Continue reading Jonah: Arise and go or arise and run?
Defaulting to Grace 