THE STORY OF JESUS: Hosea 11-14 “My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.” (Hosea 11:8) Hosea is calling the people to rethink their lives, to change their hearts. He reminds them how God changes His heart, from judgment to mercy. What drives God is love for His children; will His children change for…
The things we love are killing us!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Hosea 7-10 “Their sins engulf them.” (Hosea 7:2) What does it mean to be engulfed by my sin? Sin is any thought or behaviour that is not God-like… i.e. good! Like deception, selfishness, cruelty, greed, lust, anger, bitterness. Have you ever seen someone totally wrapped up in these things? It seems to me…
Connecting people with Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 10:40-42 “And in that place many believed in Jesus.” (John 10:42) I would love to see this myself – many people believing in Jesus. Sometimes I wonder why we do not see this as much in our tradition. I have friends from other traditions who see people coming to Jesus all the…
Can we be gods in this world?
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 10:31-39 “Is it not written in your Law, “I have said you are ‘gods’”” (John 10:34) By calling God His Father, the Jews want to stone Jesus for blasphemy. Jesus quotes Psalm 82:6, which addresses those whom God calls ‘gods’. Apparently even God, according to Psalm 82:6, is willing to share the god title….
Safe in the hands of God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 10:22-30 “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) Debates have raged through the centuries about this. How can the eternal God and a human being be one. The bible teaches that there is only one God (Romans 3:30, Ephesians 4:6) It teaches a special link between God and Jesus (1 Corinthians 8:6). Jesus as the…
a good news parable (by me)
Many years ago (2007), I wrote this “good news parable” to try to communicate why the message of Jesus is good news to me, and to everyone. I posted it then, and thought I would post it again… The kingdom of heaven is like… A man who left his wife for a younger mistress. Driven…
Good leadership?
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 10:11-21 “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) As a leader in a church, I often focus on different aspects of leadership. Casting vision, mobilizing believers, setting S.M.A.R.T. goals for success. Providing inspirational, helpful leadership through challenging situations. But Jesus reminds me of another important aspect of…
All nations under God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 117 “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.” (Psalm 117:1) There is a God, but this God does not belong to just a few people. God is the God of all nations and all peoples. Our religions attempt to describe God, but they do not confine God. All…
Foolishly destroying ourselves!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Hosea 4-6 “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) We know so much more than they did back then. Think of the amazing scientific discoveries and insights into the universe. We are absolutely brilliant, and yet we are as foolish as they were then. “There is only cursing, lying and…
My cheatin’ heart!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Hosea 1-3 “Show your love to your wife again, though she is… an adulteress.” (Hosea 3:1) God commands Hosea to marry a prostitute as a sermon illustration. Their children’s names become reflect the consequences of cheating on God. She remains unfaithful in their marriage, and Hosea pulls away for a time. But now…