THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 57-59 “The righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.” (Isaiah 57:1) When someone dies, we naturally assume it is negative. Which I get, from our point of view it definitely is negative. Here we see Isaiah saying that God was providing for ‘mercy death’. “They find rest as they lie…
Author: Norm
Seeing Jesus! (#2)
“For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They…
Seeking God’s ways!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 54-56 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” (Isaiah 55:8) This verse is often quoted to explain the mystery of God’s ways. But the context suggests that it explains the wrongness of our ways. It follows a call for sinners to forsake their thoughts and ways…
Something for me to do?
Someone gave this to me to consider for our church services!
It starts within me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 17:20-25 “T kingdom of God is in your midst (literally, within you).” (Luke 17:21) God’s kingdom doesn’t start as a worldly kingdom, nor a future kingdom. It is first of all a heart kingdom, a response of the heart to the king. Genesis 1-2 describes God’s kingdom as He created it to be….
Ungrateful?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 17:11-19 “Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:18) Children raised in a rich family can often become spoiled, ungrateful. The poor can’t take anything for granted, and tend to be more thankful. Often those on the ‘inside’ take their blessings for granted. Jesus experiences this…
Seeing Jesus! (1)
“For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They…
Just doing what we were made for!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 17:7-10 “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” (Luke 17:10) Do we see our religious duty as something extra for God? Do we see doing good as something that we should get credit for? In our sinful world, doing good is indeed something beyond normal. But it shouldn’t be;…
Pastoral Care in the Church (4)
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 BUILDING SOMETHING GOOD WILL TAKE TIME Developing effective pastoral care in the church is somewhat like the challenge Jesus faced when He came to earth and needed…
A tiny step of faith
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…