Author: Norm

SCRIPTURE: John 8:1-11 “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11) Unfortunately, this story is not for sure a true story. The earliest and the best Greek manuscripts do not include it. I say unfortunately because it captures beautifully the spirit of Jesus. We see Jesus being extremely gracious with…

SCRIPTURE: John 7:45-53 “This mob that knows nothing of the law — there is a curse on them.” (John 7:49) If you don’t agree with something, ‘dis’ it and dismiss it. Make the other look bad, or stupid, and then you don’t have to listen. Christians should not complain when this happens to them. They have done…

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 114 “Judah became God’s sanctuary” (Psalm 114:2) When you look at someone, what do you see? Do you see JUST their limitations, or their FULL God-potential? Israel was not a strong nation, not impressive or scary. But the Red Sea parted for her… because God was with her. Creation recognizes the children of God when…

SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 43-48 “The water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross.” (Ezekiel 47:5) Yesterday we saw Jesus at the temple for the Feat of Tabernacles. He spoke of living water gushing from with the heart of believers. There was a tradition at this Feast: the priest would pour…

SCRIPTURE: John 7:37-44 “Rivers of living water will flow from within them. (John 7:38) I have sat in gentle rapids, with water rushing around me. Very refreshing, very energizing. Jesus is using vivid language to describe a dynamic experience. To have the Spirit of God, churning and moving within us. Refreshing us, refreshing others through us. We…

SCRIPTURE: John 7:25-36 “You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.” (John 7:29) To know God is more than to know about God. These people were very religious, but according to Jesus they did not know God. They attended Jewish feasts, participated in Jewish practices. But their…

SCRIPTURE: John 7:14-24 “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” (John 7:24) We judge by what we see, and by how it affects (or benefits) us. Often crimes can look simple at first, based on appearances. Which is why personal revenge and crowd justice are so scary, and deadly. Thankfully, investigators and courts normally work…

SCRIPTURE: John 7:1-13 “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do.” (John 7:6) Jesus was aware of Who He was, and why He had come. He was aware that His life was unfolding on a timeline. He had certain tasks to fulfill, before His final task – the cross. When Jesus said ‘my…

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 113 “He raises the poor from the dust.” (Psalm 113:7) Where do the world’s underdogs turn to for hope? Political and religious power are usually in the hands of the few. And they use their powers for themselves, while neglecting or abusing those below. This is natural – darwinian – the way things are –…

SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 37-42 “My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Ezekiel 37:27) The temple was important for the Jews. It reminded them that God was with them… A comfort when going through tough times, and a challenge when forgetting about God. The temple was a symbol,…