THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 17:3-6 “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed…” (Luke 17:6) Jesus talks about forgiving a loved one that keeps on hurting you. This disciples don’t have the will or strength to do this. In their view, it takes bigger or more faith to forgive like this. But according to…
Author: Norm
Lord of the stormy seas!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 93 “The Lord reigns… indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.” (Psalm 93:1) In Jewish thinking, the earth was established on the waters (Genesis 1:2,6-10). The waters were beneath and above the earth (Genesis 7:11-12, Psalm 148:4). When the seas lifted up (v.3), the earth ought to be in peril. But the Lord is…
Pastoral Care in the Church (3)
ARTICLES IN THIS SERIES 1) The Meaning of Pastoral Care 2) The Methods of Pastoral Care 3) The Purpose of of ‘Home Visiting’ 4) Developing Effective Pastoral Care INTRODUCING THE HOME VISIT Our church tradition has long encouraged the ‘home visit’ as a model of pastoral care. According to the original church order (it is…
The Jesus Way!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 51-53 “After he has suffered, he will see the light of life.” (Isaiah 53:11) These words in ch.53 are a very clear prophecy of Jesus’ death and resurrection. They are in the context of God’s promise of rescue and restoration. How would the people who heard these words understand them? God’s servant…
Pastoral Care in the Church (2)
ARTICLES IN THIS SERIES 1) The Meaning of Pastoral Care 2) The Methods of Pastoral Care 3) The Purpose of of ‘Home Visiting’ 4) Developing Effective Pastoral Care EARLY CHURCH METHODS OF PASTORAL CARE We do not know all of the ways that the early church cared for God’s sheep (Acts 20:28). But we do catch…
God so loved all people!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 48-50 “That my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6) Within these chapters we sense the tension between God’s frustration and compassion. God hates the sin in the world, yet He loves the people of the world. God cannot ignore or tolerate sin, nor can He forget His…
Pastoral Care in the Church (1)
ARTICLES IN THIS SERIES 1) The Meaning of Pastoral Care 2) The Methods of Pastoral Care 3) The Purpose of of ‘Home Visiting’ 4) Developing Effective Pastoral Care RETHINKING PASTORAL CARE If you’ve been raised in the church, you’ve heard of ‘pastoral care’. Most often the term is associated with the work of the ‘pastor’,…
Family tensions!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 17:1-3 “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come…” (Luke 17:1) Guaranteed, we will face obstacles, challenges and temptations in life. Playing the victim will not help us, because we always will be. As Jesus followers, we ought to always be on guard against Satan’s schemes. We also have to…
How we live this life matters for the next!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 16:19-31 “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.” (Luke 19:29) This parable is a reminder that we need to read the bible with care. I have heard people refer to this parable as proof of how the afterlife works. The wicked will experience the agony of fire, and…
A cross, not a sword!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 16:16-18 “Kingdom of God is preached and everyone is forcing their way into it.” (Luke 16:16) Who is forcing (the word means ‘violence’) their way into the kingdom? Similarly in Matthew 11:12 Jesus refers to people violently opposing His message. Ironically, it was the religious people who attacked Him to defend the Law….