Author: Norm

THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 36 “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” (Psalm 36:9) Most people have a tough time seeing themselves realistically, in a proper light. In the end, my view of myself – whether positive or negative – is not what counts. What matters is how I…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Judges 17-21 “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” (Judges 21:25) Four times in this section we are told that Israel had no king (17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25). These stories are meant to show human nature at its worse, and our need for a messiah. Though we…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Judges 13-16 “I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb.” (Judges 16:17) According to Numbers 6:1-21, a ‘nazirite’ was someone devoted (nazir) to God (like a monk or nun). They showed their dedication by not cutting their hair, not drinking wine and not touching dead bodies. God chose Samson to…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 26:47-54 “Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52) In the picture above, someone tried to paint these words of Jesus. But I’m not sure it gives the right message… Jesus seems to be forcing the sword hand to stop….

THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 26:40-46 “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) Jesus understands that His disciples are tired. He’s not criticizing them for sleeping since He knows they mean well, that their spirits are willing. But given the impending crisis, He is urging them to pray harder for God’s strength. Because…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 26:36-39 “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” (Matthew 26:39) There was a time in the early church when christians sought martyrdom. They wanted the honour of suffering and dying like their Messiah. I want to be like the Messiah too, especially the “may this cup…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 26:31-35 “This very night you will all fall away on account of me.” (Matthew 26:31) This passage makes me think of songs that we often sing as Christians. ‘I Surrender All’, ‘Stand up, Stand up for Jesus’, ‘Blessed be Your Name’. Peter sings a version of ‘I have decided to follow Jesus,…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 35 “Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God; do not let them gloat over me.” (Psalm 35:27) Have you ever been betrayed by a friend, have you ever been bullied by your peers? David feels like garbage, rejected by people he trusted and had been good to. This psalm is his…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Judges 10-12 “Israel was in great distress. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord, ‘We have sinned.” (Judges 10:9-10) They say that desperate times call for desperate measures. The period of the Judges was a desperate time; Israel was struggling to learn how they needed God. When life was good, they forgot…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Judges 7-9 “They did not remember the Lord who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies.” (Judges 8:35) As a Jesus follower, I believe that Jesus is the hope of the world. Personally I am aware of the many ways He has helped me, and how He has changed my…