SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. [Matthew 24:36]. Interesting, Jesus seemed to think that “these things” would happen within the disciples’ time frame [Matthew 24:34], but then He says He doesn’t know when…
“the shack” series: forgiveness
The Shack is a parable about one man’s healing encounter with God. Part of Mack’s healing journey is forgiving his father (an alcoholic who abused him) and his young daughter’s murderer. The underlying theme of this book is that Mack will not find freedom from the great sadness (how he describes the depression that encompasses…
Jesus meek and wild
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 23 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the…
catch the wave
We just finished our first “wave” of the Senior Wave – The Deep End. This is the new and improved senior high youth program. We are now meeting on Sunday nights from 5-8pm. It ran for 6 weeks, and will begin another 6 week run in the new year.
chosen???
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 22 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: For many are called, but few are chosen. [Matthew 22:14] When I hear Jesus say this, my thoughts are muddled because, growing up, the word ‘chosen’ always referred to the doctrine of predestination – where we are not able to choose God, but God chooses us. But this passage does not, I believe,…
connecting group experiment
The “Connecting Group” experiment is finished, and it went very well. Based on the Alpha model we gathered every Tuesday night for an excellent meal, good jokes and table fellowship, a video teaching time and discussions around the table. Although the ultimate goal for these “Connecting Groups” are for those exploring the message of Jesus, we…
the proper kingdom fruit
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. [Matthew 21:43] Here we have the clash of the kingdoms. The Kingdom of God as demonstrated in Jesus clashes with the kingdom of humanity. God’s modus operandi (method of operation)…
blessed are the negative???
A good friend is a regular reader of my daily meditations, and she observed that 9 times out of 10, I am down on myself or highlighting an area of weakness in my relationship to God – especially in the prayer. She sometimes wondered whether I was on the edge of depression, or struggling with…
among us it will be different
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 20 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. [Matthew 20:25-26] In this chapter we experience (again) the contrary ways of God. How does God operate? Not like us!!!
just what the doctor ordered!
Even though we may get frustrated with some (or all) of the foibles and failings of our local church, here is a good reminder that it might be “just what the Doctor ordered!” For all of its foibles—lousy preaching, political infighting, self-centered focus, stagnation, a gaggle of special interest groups—the pokey local church…is still the…