Learning to love others the way Jesus loves us
Berries, Vérasion, and Harvest John 15:1-8; Psalm 1 "Every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes that it may bear more fruit." Pruning does more than shape a grapevine. Pruning also directs the future growth and direction of the plant, and affect how well the vine produces. In viticulture, pruning is an ongoing process. The… Continue reading Taste and see: Part two
The vineyard and the vines John 15:1-8; Psalm 34:8; Galatians 5:22; 1 John 4:7-17 A recent sermon about Jesus as the true vine included an illustration meant to be humorous (it was), but got me thinking about the process of wine-making. Having lived 12 years in Sonoma County among the wineries, the illustration brought back… Continue reading Taste and see: Part one
Inspired by a sermon By Pastor Jason Cook at Fellowship Bible Church, Roswell, GA 4/18/2021
I was privileged to lead my precious Hope Las Vegas ladies' Bible gathering this morning, and thought I might share my notes and the questions for the breakout groups here. We are currently walking through the Gospel of Matthew, one chapter at a time. I did a short recap of the first part of the… Continue reading My teaching notes from Matthew 7
It was just after sunset. The sky was dusky, and the shadows in the alleys grew deeper. The Temple took on hues of pink and gold as the marble reflected the last rays of day, a glorious sight for those who had eyes to see. The women did not see the beauty; they were consumed… Continue reading Peace?
Matthew 21 "The kingdom of God will be taken from you." Jesus said these words to the priests and Pharisees, the men chosen to intercede for the people to the Holy One. Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy explicitly spell out the requirements for the priesthood, the Law, and the sacrifices both to atone for sin and… Continue reading “The kingdom of God will be taken from you.”
"Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow."Elvina M. Hall (1865) This hymn, written by Elvina M. Hall in 1865 kept repeating in my mind as I read Matthew 12 and Leviticus 22 this morning. Leviticus is the book of Law, the… Continue reading Jesus paid it all
A year ago the novel coronavirus was a story of interest, but not headline news in most of the world. It had been identified in China and had just been confirmed in the Mediterranean region (World Health Organization interactive timeline). Daily briefings from WHO didn't begin until February 5 and it wasn't until February 24… Continue reading Leaning
The Church in the US and much of the West is broken. It has been broken by teachers and pastors who sought recognition and fame. It has been broken by church attendees who stay for the music, but leave as soon as the teaching gets serious. Cultural Christianity (churchianity) focuses on blessings instead of trials and boasting instead of truth. The Church in the US, for the most part, has moved away from worshipping the righteous and holy God who created all things and holds all things together, replacing the Father with a national identity and the human leaders they elect.
Habakkuk 1-3 Wait. Not exactly the word I expected for 2021, but that's the one that stuck. Some people might say it was a word from the Lord, but I won't be so bold as to claim to hear God in such specific terms. Still, this is the word that came to mind over and… Continue reading My word for 2021
Defaulting to Grace 