Neil Macdonald, a CBC Reporter, has a very informative article on Scientology. What really caught my interest was where he describes some of the beliefs of Scientology near the end: “Scientologists believe Earth was formerly called Teegeeack and was populated with aliens by a dark lord named Xenu, who stuffed them into volcanoes and destroyed…
Author: Norm
do I want to be a good fish?
January 31, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:47-52 OBSERVATIONS What Jesus initiates (taking back the throne of creation for God and humanity) has happened, and everyone is caught up in it; God’s kingdom is expansive and inclusive! Only at the end will the separation occur, when the good fish (ie those that reveal good hearts and good lives)…
Someone smiled at me today
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too. I passed around the corner, And someone saw my grin. When he smiled, I realized I’d passed it on to him. I thought about that smile; Then I realized its worth. A single smile just like mine Could travel ’round the earth. So if you…
the kingdom… priceless!
January 30, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:44-46 OBSERVATIONS Jesus describes the new order He is establishing – a world of selfless love, seeking God and God’s kind of world first, living with integrity and generosity, loving even our enemies… how valuable is this kind of life to you, to me? would I be willing to give up…
good seed in a bad world?
January 29, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:36-43 OBSERVATIONS Jesus is the good seed planter, and His followers (not the message but those who believe and live the message) are the good seed; the bad seed are the people who live for self and sin and “who do evil”. God allows those who do good to live and…
mustard seed conspiracy
January 28, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:31-35 OBSERVATIONS Jesus compares His message with a tiny seed, or with yeast, so small yet with so much potential. The kingdom of God – God’s system of government in creation under God-like humans – seems weak, small, even pathetic compared to the power systems of this world. As we join…
ordinary, extraordinary praise
January 27, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 18 OBSERVATIONS God has helped David in a big way, and David writes this song in response. We know of several times when God protected David from King Saul, this was written after one of them. Imagine a situation in your life where God intervenes in an amazing, miraculous or dramatic…
the Jesus memo
Not sure what they mean by the Jesus Memo (unless they mean His teaching is like a memo at work, advising us of a new policy or directive from the management), but I affirm the concept. Jesus actually expects us to think and live like this, and He is confident that it will change the…
do you know who this is?
Last Friday was Robbie Burns Day, and I was gently rebuked by my Scottish brethren for not knowing who this man is. To my surprise, he is the writer of Auld Lang Syne!!! Well, looks like I am going to have to familiarize myself with this renowned Scottish poet. I looked up some of his…
Leviticus 16-20
January 25-26, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 16-20 APPLICATION What do you sense the Lord saying to you? OBSERVATIONS What do you notice in this passage? PRAYER