Why only these "curses" in ch 27?  Why not all the laws 10:38-42 - Note that Mary is a woman sitting at JEsus' feet.  Not normally allowed then11:1-4 - Compare the Lord's Prayer here to the one in Matthew and the one we say in worshipDon't read too much into the parable about praying over and over.  it isn't about trying to annoy God so much that we get what we want.  It is more about perseverance...  Read More

23:1 - Well that's quite a command to start things out.... look at Acts 8-9 with the Ethiopian eunuch - what to do with that?23:2 - And that's quite a statement tooHow to take the humanitarian laws along with the other ones?25:11 - ummm...what?  Feels like this was written in response to something like this happening  10:20 - rejoice in the big picture, not the samll things10:21 - Jesus rejoiced i...  Read More

I'm glad ministers are paid differently today!Again, loyalty to YHWH18:21-22 - Hard to discern in the momentCourage is as contagious as fear is - 20:1-820:19-20 - I love this - rules for protecting trees! A refreshing change from DeuteronomyMy son - listen to him - I prefer to listen to Jesusv37ff - Reality hitsLast few verses - humility and grace Psalm 73 - In God's house, one's heart and mind ca...  Read More

21:10-14 - One of the many places where I ask, "is this really God?" or is this men saying that it is from God?21:18-21 - If you want to rule by fear...I guess this works.  21 - Do we pick and choose which laws?  I guess we all do Again, Jesus is grace, not punishmentCentrality of our faithfulness to JesusTrust in God's provision - how much do I really do this?  We? Psalm 74 - Big time - Where are...  Read More

A recounting of the prescribed festivals - Passover, Weeks, Booths,.  Weeks is the same as Pentecost16:20 - Honest justice is a desire of GodWitnesses, additional judges, etc - get it right17:14-20 - Do any "kings" listen to things like this? Why did Herod want to see Jesus?Notice Luke doesn't have Jesus' initial response to Peter's declation that Matthew has21:27 - Is the "Messianic secret" more ...  Read More

Seriousness of idolatry but...dang.  Gives a sense that idolatry is a virus15:7 - Someone in need - do not be hard headed or tight fisted.  Open your hand.  v10 - Give liberally and be ungrudgingv11 - Open your hand to your poor and needy neighbor One of my move beloved intertwining stories.  Longing, need, and restorationThe hem represented the sense of her last thread of hope (at least in my opi...  Read More

Commandment - Lord the Lord your God and serve with all your heart and soulAgain, bind the message to yourself and teach the following generationsv28 and 32 - Diligently observe and follow How do you respond in a crisis/trial?  Panic?  confidence?  Action?The exorcism here is the longest such story in the GospelsJesus' message to the restored man - return to your home and declare how much God has ...  Read More

Still recounting history.  Know your storyHow do we do this and also not do this - knowing our history?What does the Lord require?  v12 and followingVerses 14 and following as well - what does the Lord ask of us? Can a parable have multiple meanings aside from what Jesus says here?  I think soTrue family of Jesus - how does this fit with honor your father and mother? Psalm 69:19-36 - When have you...  Read More

As the hymn says, "My Lord what a Morning!" Friends, ResoundingJoy resounded out on Easter Sunday. We resounded with joy. We resounded with community. We resounded with welcome. We resounded with energy. We resounded with numbers. We resounded with praise. We resounded with the Easter greeting that Christ is risen // Christ is risen indeed! It was a remendous morning - thank you to all who helped ...  Read More

You weren't chosen because of numbers or power but because of God's love.  But about God's love for others?Bless/curse shows up here as well.  But trust God above all else.  Especially when prosperous.   The one who is forgiven little loves little.  We see that don't we, maybe more so in those who think they don't have much to be forgiven forThe women named here are helping to fund Jesus' ministry...  Read More

Interesting how the "God commandments"are fleshed out further but the rest largely are notMoses - God wrote on the tabletsStraight path - not to the right or the left6:4 - the Shema - possibly one of the most important parts of the whole of the Hebrew scripturesHow often it says "share / teach your children" John's questioning of Jesus - even John seems perplexed by the initial actionss of Jesus. ...  Read More

Happy Easter friends! Jesus is risen! We celebrate this day of days and joy of joy!I wanted to share with you the song that I referenced in my sermon today - Betty's Diner by Carrie Newcomer. Just click/tap the video below to play it.  As I shared with my message today, resurrection isn't simply something embedded in a stained glass and is static and unchanging. Instead resurrection is still at wo...  Read More