Often people will share personal stories with me about how God worked in their lives, whether through a miracle, an answer to prayer, to deep or personal experience, a “God-moment” (what some people call a coincidence, but I prefer to call God-incidents), and many other ways. Maybe you could start sharing your stories here, so…
Author: Norm
Jan 26 — Titus 3:1-15
SCRIPTURE: Titus 3:1-15 OBSERVATION: Paul is writing instructions to Titus on how to lead the believers at Crete, what to stress in his teaching (v.8). He describes what the Christian life looks like (vv.1-2) and why we should live this way (vv.3-7). Describes the ‘before’ and ‘after’: foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of…
How much does it cost to follow Jesus?
Often when we hear about the “good news”, we hear about God’s love as free, no strings attached? And yet what about the high cost of following Jesus. In his book “The Cost Of Discipleship”, Dietrich Bonhoeffer (a Pastor who died in a Nazi concentration camp for opposing Hitler) distinguishes between costly grace and cheap…
Jan 23, 2007 — Mark 1:14-20
SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:14-20 OBSERVATION: Starts with the high cost of serving Jesus – John the Baptist is thrown in prison, and ultimately dies (Matthew 14:1-12) – this shows that Jesus’ message of good news is not easy news, it comes with high cost. The call to follow Jesus leads Peter, James and John to leave: their work,…
Jan 25, 2007 — Galatians 1:11-2:10
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 1:11-2:10 OBSERVATION: Paul defends his message as ‘straight from God’, and he retells his story to make that clear. His conversion (1:13-16, 22-24) would be like Henry Morgentaler becoming pro-life, or Stephen Harper becoming NDP – a radical change of direction. Paul describes his specific purpose as being a missionary to the Gentiles (non-Jews)….
Jan 24, 2007 — Psalm 62:1-12
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 62:1-12 OBSERVATION: Starts with statement of faith, then applies it to his own personal situation. As he faces instability, he speaks to himself, reminds himself that he can trust God, not in the world powers. He may be facing betrayal, problems within his family/community (words that bless, hearts that curse)? This is self-talk in…
Jan 22, 2007 — Jonah 4:1-11
SCRIPTURE: Jonah 4:1-11 OBSERVATION: This passage shows the real reason for Jonah running away – he didn’t want his enemies forgiven. We see the shocking extent of mercy – goes farther than even we want it to go. God would forgive Hitler, if he genuinely repented. Reveals how people still measure themselves and others as more…
Sermon on Mark 1:14-20
I’m preaching on Mark 1:14-20 this coming Sunday (Jan 28, 2007). Its the daily Bible Reading scheduled for January 23. I would be interested in hearing from you as to what jumps out at you in this passage. What questions does it raise? What do you hear God saying to you in this passage. I suggest keeping your…
Jan 21, 2007 — Jonah 3:1-10
SCRIPTURE: Jonah 3:1-10 OBSERVATION: God gives Jonah a 2nd chance. Jonah is a nobody from nowhere, in contrast to this big city – why would anyone listen to him? The whole city responds (amazing), God anoints his message, their hearts were prepared. This is a story of repentance and mercy, even for cruel, wicked oppressors –…
Jan 20, 2007 — Jonah 2:1-10
SCRIPTURE: Jonah 2:1-10 OBSERVATION: Seems hard to believe, how did he breathe, let alone pray? This is is his post-Ninevah reflection, how he looked back on the experience. If we presume that (a) there is a God (b) God can and does intervene in miraculous ways, then this story is possible. Makes a vow to God…