THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 14 “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” (Proverbs 14:30) Today there were many proverbs I wanted to reflect on. What struck me about this one is that it seems to speak to a deeper issue. This proverbs says ‘envy’ rots the bones, but there…
When tradition gets in the way
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 7:1-13 “Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.” (Mark 7:13) What place should tradition have in our following Jesus? Tradition is the faith and practice of Jesus followers before us. “Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is the dead faith of…
Still reaching out to Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:53-56 “All who touched (even the edge of his cloak) were healed.” (Mark 6:56) As a Jesus follower, I believe the stories about how Jesus healed people. But one challenge to my faith is that I do not see healings like this today. Don’t get me wrong, I hear stories about healing,…
Going deeper with God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:45-52 “After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.” (Mark 6:46) We were made to live in close fellowship with God… like Jesus. We were also made to live in authority over creation, not in fear of it. Living independently of God, creation becomes a threat and we live…
His compassion for me, through me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:30-44 “When Jesus saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them.” (Mark 6:34) Jesus is concerned for his disciples, and invites them to a quiet time of retreat. Jesus is concerned for the desperate, and teaches them about God’s kingdom. Jesus is concerned for you, for me, and for all people….
Partners with God
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 127 “Unless the Lord builds… the builders labor in vain… (Psalm 127:1) What if my house or city falls, if I don’t have kids, or can’t sleep? Does this mean God is not for me, God is not blessing me? Or if my church is not growing, is it because God is…
Walking with Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 13 “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Proverbs 13:20) As as follower of Jesus, I am eager to walk with Jesus, in His wisdom. Even though He is not visible to me, I can ‘see’ and ‘hear’ Him through the Gospel stories. The more…
I may be wrong!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 12 “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15) This verse stood out to me today, warning me about when I feel right. There are things that I feel right about… but am I? The religious leaders were convinced they were right as they…
Liking… but not listening?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:14-29 “Knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.” (Mark 6:20) Herod was intrigued by John, even if he did not like being challenged by him. He could sense the goodness in John, and was drawn to how he spoke. I have heard the same attitude about Jesus from people. Most…
He sends me too!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:6-13 “To send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.” (Mark 6:7) I am trying to put myself in the shoes of these first disciples. They had been with Jesus, and witnessed the amazing things He said and did. Now He is pushing them out in teams…