A poem by Gerard Mandley Hopkins that speaks of the grandeur of God in and behind everything we experience in this world… and yet fail to see and appreciate… even worse we ‘smear’ all over it. But it is still there! In a few places I’ve added my own thought of what the words mean….
Call to worship… all the time!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 148 “His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.” (Psalm 148:13) This psalm reminds me of Genesis 1, where we find the original ‘order of worship’. Behind and before everything that exists – above, below, and all around – is God. Every part of creation is made ‘very good’, to reflect back…
The Lion Lamb king!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Revelation 4-5 “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.” (Revelation 5:5) Jesus is the Lion King Who has triumphed over Satan, sin and death. “I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne.” (Revelation 5:6) But the Lion is…
Spoiler alert!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Revelation 1-3 “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17-18) John is in exile on the Isle of Patmos because of…
A longing for life!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 25:13-22 “About a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.” (Acts 25:19) Some believe that Elvis Presley is still alive (and living as Pastor Bob Joyce). But most people know that this is not true, it is just a myth. So how about the many people who believe that Jesus…
Ready to share my hope!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 25:1-12 “I appeal to Caesar!” (Acts 25:11) Does Paul appeal to Caesar to be set free, or to avoid an ambush by the Jews? “As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11) Paul knows he is destined for Rome to share God’s message of…
The good part of the story!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 24:22-27 “(Paul) spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid.” (Acts 24:25) Paul speaks about faith in Christ Jesus. But the topics mentioned are righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come. If I talk about my faith in Jesus, do…
Shout it out!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 24:17-21 “I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection…’” (Acts 24:21) I have a picture in my mind of this scene: Paul shouting in the temple. This would take a lot of nerve from a former Jew, now turned Jesus follower. The temple was the most sacred…
Great AND Good!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 147 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” (Psalm 147:3-4) A God that is both great (determines the stars) and good (heals the brokenhearted). Gods are usually either great (strong, mighty) OR good (kind, forgiving, gentle). But…
The joy of walking in the truth!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 John 1, 3 John 1 “It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth.” (2 John 1:4) “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4) For John, it is not enough that Jesus followers believe the truth. His greatest joy…