SCRIPTURE: Matthew 22 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: For many are called, but few are chosen. [Matthew 22:14] When I hear Jesus say this, my thoughts are muddled because, growing up, the word ‘chosen’ always referred to the doctrine of predestination – where we are not able to choose God, but God chooses us. But this passage does not, I believe,…
Author: Norm
connecting group experiment
The “Connecting Group” experiment is finished, and it went very well. Based on the Alpha model we gathered every Tuesday night for an excellent meal, good jokes and table fellowship, a video teaching time and discussions around the table. Although the ultimate goal for these “Connecting Groups” are for those exploring the message of Jesus, we…
the proper kingdom fruit
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. [Matthew 21:43] Here we have the clash of the kingdoms. The Kingdom of God as demonstrated in Jesus clashes with the kingdom of humanity. God’s modus operandi (method of operation)…
blessed are the negative???
A good friend is a regular reader of my daily meditations, and she observed that 9 times out of 10, I am down on myself or highlighting an area of weakness in my relationship to God – especially in the prayer. She sometimes wondered whether I was on the edge of depression, or struggling with…
among us it will be different
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 20 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. [Matthew 20:25-26] In this chapter we experience (again) the contrary ways of God. How does God operate? Not like us!!!
just what the doctor ordered!
Even though we may get frustrated with some (or all) of the foibles and failings of our local church, here is a good reminder that it might be “just what the Doctor ordered!” For all of its foibles—lousy preaching, political infighting, self-centered focus, stagnation, a gaggle of special interest groups—the pokey local church…is still the…
love goes deeper than law
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. [Matthew 19:8] Did Jesus just say that what Moses permitted in the old covenant law regarding divorce was NOT what God originally intended? Should we not say, rather, that God permitted…
new logo for crossroads
Not sure if you saw this yet, or realized it was different. The changes are small, but significant.
descending into greatness
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 18 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. [Matthew 18:4] Who will occupy the highest positions of authority in God’s restored world order? Who will be the most important, the ones in Jesus’ inner circle? This question, as well as Peter’s question about…
renewable membership?
So here I am, thinking about a whacky idea (or is it???), and I figure that I should get some feedback from you. Here is the idea: what if church membership had to be renewed every year? I grew up in a tradition that tied church membership to salvation. You did not just commit yourself…