THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 8:28-30 “In all things God works for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8:28) A verse people love to quote to others, a verse people hate to hear. ‘How can my rape, my divorce, my tragedy, etc. be good, from God?’ ‘If this is how God treats those He loves, I’d…
Spirit-induced groaning!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 8:26-27 “The Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Romans 8:26) When you are sick, are you quiet, or do you tend to groan out loud? I admit it, I am a groaner, every move I make includes some kind of audible moan. My wife calls me on it sometime, asking…
First signs of spring!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 8:18-25 “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” (Romans 8:19) Through the long, cold winter, we wait in eager expectation for the signs of spring to appear. As the air gets slightly warmer, the days get slightly longer… maybe we spot a Robin! Winter…
He speaks to me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 8:12-17 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:16) I have never actually heard an audible spiritual voice. Some people talk about hearing God as if it was a clear voice – not me. But I do hear the Voice of Jesus all the time, with…
‘God’s Positioning System’ (GPS)
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 8:5-11 “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6) My mind is like a butterfly, it does not follow a clear flight plan. At any given moment I am thinking about life, chocolate, a pain in my left foot,…
TTTHHHRUSTTT!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 8:1-4 “The law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2) The movie “Chicken Run” about desperate hens doomed for pot pies eager to fly the coup. Their problem, according to their resident science geek, is they lack TTTHHHRUSTTT! This is…
Taking a break, back June 13!
Leave me a comment if you normally read this, and if you want me to keep going!
The triumph of hope!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 7:21-25 “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25) I can relate both to Paul’s struggle, and to his hope. The tension between the hope and the reality. Between the things I want to do, and the things I do (or don’t do). It’s like I…
Simil justus et peccator
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 7:21-25 “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24) Have you ever felt like this? Feeling trapped, doomed, defeated, beaten, no way of escape? Though not from external circumstances, but from himself. His own weakness, his own nature, is the problem… and its…
Sin living in me!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 7:13-20 “Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” (Romans 7:20) In “The Family Circus” by Bil Keane, there is the character “Not Me!” This is the kids excuse when accused…