Do they know why we celebrate?

The Messiah sat surrounded by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. The crowd surrounded the place and pushed in. I wonder if the buttoned-up religious leaders had to dust off their shoulders as debris surely began to fall from the ceiling as the tiles in the ceiling were removed. Did Jesus chuckle to HimselfContinue reading “Do they know why we celebrate?”

The Goodness of UNEXPLAINABLE God

So many, who so powerfully and effectively preach and teach the Word, actually have to live it while walking really hard roads. This seems inherently unfair. Couldn’t they be immune from problems and pain? Why do they get cancer, and rebellious kids, and unfaithful spouses? Why wouldn’t a Mighty God protect those who seek Him,Continue reading “The Goodness of UNEXPLAINABLE God”

Conquering Fear

Those who fear God aren’t consumed and paralyzed by fear like those who look only to this world for their hope. In our flesh, we are just as capable of worry, dread and fear; but when we remember what we know of the Lord, we aren’t devastated by the circumstances we find ourselves in, INSTEADContinue reading “Conquering Fear”

When you are hurting at Christmas

So many friends.So many women I’ve met when speaking. So many I’ve been connected to by mutual friends. So many are hurting. I know so many widows. I know others who have lost a parent, or a child, or a marriage. It’s heartbreaking. I’m watching some lose loved ones slowly who have dementia. Will youContinue reading “When you are hurting at Christmas”

He loves them more than you do…

I know, God, You love them more than I do….those whose names are heavy on my heart. I often find myself trying to say or do just the right thing in hopes they would find hope, joy, and peace in You. Oh God, that some would finally just surrender to You. In the middle ofContinue reading “He loves them more than you do…”

“Is it me?”

The One who had been laid in a manger, the One of whom the angels sang, the One shepherds told, and the wise men travelled to see —had grown up to be their friend. Their friend. They had fished together and watched Him feed the five thousand together. But they had also walked miles ofContinue reading ““Is it me?””

She only ever lost two bar fights…

She was a drug dealer. So, how could we have possibly imagined what happened? Everyone in her small town knew just how bad she had wrecked her life. She had even lost her kids. Many, probably thought her addictions too strong, and that she was a lost cause. TooFarGone But as she walked about town,Continue reading “She only ever lost two bar fights…”

Stop. Look up. Worship!

Oh, how she worshipped! The religious leaders plot to kill Jesus. while Mary (the sister of Martha and Lazarus) anoints Him with expensive oil in an act of extravagant worship. But the disciples, they don’t understand. They reason that perfume could have been sold to help the poor. And Judas is enraged. Judas, the discipleContinue reading “Stop. Look up. Worship!”

Which will you hear?

Jesus has been talking about the End Times, being ready for His return, and about how His followers should be using what they’ve been given for eternal harvests. (Matt 24-25) He then starts talking about a time of judgment where the sheep (Christians) will be separated from the goats (non Christians). The sheep will beContinue reading “Which will you hear?”

All of us…

I’m up early. The lights of the Christmas tree glow and the smell of a cinnamon candle fills the room. But, as I open my Bible back to Matthew, I’m reminded once again that this is not my home. As comfortable as it can feel sometimes, this is not our home. Across the street, myContinue reading “All of us…”

Be Ready and He Will.

Jesus continues in His talk about the End of Days, not with a specific date, or hidden calculator as some are inclined to hope, but with parables about being ready (Matt 24:52-Matt 25:13). He says, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (MattContinue reading “Be Ready and He Will.”

Happy Thanksgiving! Blessings to Savor

Oh that moment, I walk in the door at my parents’ home. Turkey cooking. Dressing baking. The aroma of delicious anticipation floating through the house. I want it to last forever.  There’s something so wonderful about slowing down and savoring our blessings. Though our earthly blessings are fleeting, there are hints of heaven in everyContinue reading “Happy Thanksgiving! Blessings to Savor”

One of the most debated statements Jesus ever made.

It is one of the most debated of the statements Jesus ever made —“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matt 24:13) What does this mean? “Interpreters offer three basic possibilities for Jesus’ meaning here. One is that those who remain faithful to Christ until death will see eternal salvation—meaning those whoContinue reading “One of the most debated statements Jesus ever made.”

Sign of the End of Days

Jesus called out the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees and mercifully states how He longs to gather them close to Himself but they were not willing. (Matt 23). He then walks away from the temple leaving it forever behind in His earthly ministry. (Matt 24:1). The disciples point back to the grandeur of theContinue reading “Sign of the End of Days”

The Encouragement of Prophecy in Matthew 24

I’ve been pondering it for days. Years really. For every time I read Matthew 24, I come away thinking, I don’t clearly understand. But this time, as I work through commentaries and pray through it all, one suggestion strikes me as certainly plausible. Perhaps the Word, Jesus, in talking about the Second Coming is intentionallyContinue reading “The Encouragement of Prophecy in Matthew 24”

A BRUTAL indictment.

Matthew 23 is nothing short of a brutal indictment of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus calls them hypocrites and fools. He says they do what they do to be seen by others. He says they put heavy burdens on others that they themselves do not follow. Jesus says, they look good on the outside butContinue reading “A BRUTAL indictment.”

Whose SON is HE?

“What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” (Matt 22:42) Friend, we can’t just move past those words. Slow down. Pay attention. What do you really think? “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” (Matt 22:42) For if the Christ, the Christ of this Christmas we are aboutContinue reading “Whose SON is HE?”

This summarizes it ALL.

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matt 22:37-40 While theContinue reading “This summarizes it ALL.”

Take Heart. Jesus is doing what He came to do!

The Pharisees and Sadducees try to trip Jesus up with their questioning but He remains steady and wise in His answers, completely in control. Completely in control. The Savior had told His disciples He was headed to die, and the religious leaders and Roman officials, who thought they had power, had no power in theContinue reading “Take Heart. Jesus is doing what He came to do!”