Author: Norm

THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 8-10 “Haman cast (the lot) for their ruin and destruction.” (Esther 9:24) In the past, the lot was used to determine the will of the gods. This is similar to drawing straws, or tossing coins (head you win). On the one hand, this reflects how we were designed. To include God in…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 6-7 “Since Mordecai is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him!” (Esther 6:13) I sense the Lord reminding me of the God that stands behind me. Even Haman’s wife knew the stories of the God behind the Jews. God may be invisible, but He is not inactive… He’s directing the story….

THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:34-38 “For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:37) This passage makes me think of the creation story. God speaks, and His word has power; everything is created. The Spirit moves as the Word of God is spoken; humanity is created. As the Spirit overshadows the dust, Adam the son…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:26-33 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:32) This verse stands out to me, how the angel describes Mary’s baby. Every parents sees their baby as special to them. But do they see them as great, as special to God, a precious child?…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:21-25 “(The Lord has) taken away my disgrace among the people.” (Luke 1:25) At that time, in that culture, barrenness was a disgrace “among the people”. The word translated “disgrace” actually means a bad name or reputation. In our day, there are also cultural stigmas that shame people with a bad name….

THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:5-20 “To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17) Before the birth of the messiah baby, another baby is born. This aged couple, like Abraham and Sarah, is part of God’s salvation plan. Their child will be filled with the Spirit even before he is born – a special…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 66 “Let me tell you what he has done for me.” (Psalm 66:14) I recently heard a pastor lament all the “I”s and “Me”s in worship today. His concern was that worship had become ‘all about me’, instead of God. I can’t say where peoples hearts are when they express their worship….

THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 4-5 “If you remain silent at this time, deliverance will arise from another place.” (Esther 4:14) I am God’s image-bearer (and so are you), called to lead this world with God-like character. The story of the world, (and my story) is one of failure to fulfill our roles. We are silent when…