Author: Norm

“No one pours new wine into old wineskins.” (Mark 2:22)As a Jesus follower, I am drawn to what is new in Jesus.To a world saturated in the old, stale win of religion, Jesus is a treat!The stale rituals and empty creeds of religion do not bring joy.Neither does praying, or fasting, or church-going out of religious…

“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Mark 2:16)As a Jesus follower, I may face the criticism of religious people.Jesus’s greatest challengers were the religious establishment.Those who led the ‘church’, those appointed as ‘pastors’.Their criticism was that He associated with sinners and tax collectors.He ate with them, and allowed them to follow Him and…

“‘Follow me,’ Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.” (Mark 2:14)As a Jesus follower, Jesus has called me to follow Him.To follow means go on the same path as someone.It involves joining, sticking close to, and imitating their way.It was an invitation to become a disciple, to live WITH, LIKE and FOR them….

“The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Mark 2:10)As a Jesus follower, I am thankful for forgiveness.But for me forgiveness means more than just being pardoned.The word for forgiveness speaks of being released, set free.Our problem is not just our guilt, it is our bondage.Think about it, if you pardon a slave,…

“When Jesus saw their faith…” (Mark 2:5)As a Jesus follower, I am aware how my faith affects others.It was the faith of these four friends that helped this man.They helped someone who could not help themselves.They loved their friend, and they were confident Jesus could help.So they carried their friend to Jesus for help.They dug through…

“Jesus was indignant.” (Mark 1:41)As a Jesus follower, I have experienced the compassion of Jesus.What seems odd to me is that the NIV says Jesus was ‘indignant’.All the other translations say ‘moved with compassion’.And that is what the word being translated normally means?I could go down the rabbit trail of bible interpretation.But I will stick with…

“That is why I have come!” (Mark 1:38)As a Jesus follower I value time alone with God and Jesus.I can relate to Jesus seeking solitude very early in the morning.This has been my rhythm for years, not a discipline but a delight.But one danger is that I prefer solitude over crowds. There’s a reason for this.I…

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:26-27)