So what do you think of this quote? If we wait to dance when things get better, will we never dance? Is dancing a way of denying the storm, being in self-denial? Or is a dancing spirit a sign of faith, hope and love… God’s Spirit in us? I think of Jesus resting in the…
Author: Norm
Get my hearing checked?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 8:4-15 “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Luke 8:8) This teaching is about hearing (vv.8,10,12,13,14,15). Everyone has ears, but not everyone has ears to hear. We would sometimes say of our kids that they had selective hearing. But it is not only kids, we all have selective hearing. We prefer…
Equals in need of love and grace!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 8:1-3 “These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” (Luke 8:3) Do we realize how radical Jesus’ treatment of women was? “The extremely low status that the Greek, Roman, and Jewish woman had for centuries was radically affected by the appearance of Jesus Christ. His actions and teachings…
Who do you relate to more?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7:44-50 “But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:47) Jesus explains why this woman is so expressive of her love. In her time (and most of history), girls and women were abused sexually. Men looked at her as an object of lust, and she used that to survive. Religious men…
Reason to love Him more!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7:36-43 “One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.” (Luke 7:41) A ‘religious man’ and a ‘sinful woman’ together in the same room, with Jesus. We do what this ‘religious man’ does, we compare ourselves. The way we reduce or eliminate shame is by looking down on others. We find…
The Jesus Way is right!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7:31-35 “But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” (Luke 7:35) Jesus is responding to the fickle criticisms of the religious leaders. John has a demon because he fasts, Jesus is a glutton because He doesn’t. Like children, one day they’re happy (dancing) and the next they’re sad (singing a dirge)….
The path to greatness
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7:24-30 “They acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.” (Luke 7:29) John’s message had been repent; not everyone wanted to hear that message. Those who had been open to John’s message were open to Jesus’ message. But those who were confident in themselves, rejected both John…
Jesus still impacts the world for good!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7 “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Luke 7:19) John was more confident in the beginning, but now he is experiencing doubt. He is in prison at this time, and rumours are surprising spreading about Jesus. Associating with sinners, denouncing the religious leaders, welcoming…
Living hope for dying hearts
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7:11-17 “God has come to help his people.” (Luke 7:16) We’re all in different stages of a funeral procession, step by step closer to the grave. Some people believe that this life is all there is; death is final. I happen to believe that we were made by God to live, not…
An unbeliever with faith?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7:1-10 “I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” (Luke 7:9) This Roman army commander was a model unbeliever. He was not Jewish, and did not share their faith… but he was a good man. Jesus Himself was impressed by this man’s faith, not just his good deeds. I was…