First day of the first month - begin with worship as we begin your new life togetherThey are seeking to follow the leading of God No birth story - just John and then Jesus' baptism.  This is the beginning of Mark's story.  It isn't as much about the fulfillment of prophecy but more about what Jesus said and did.  Look in Mark for how often the word "immediately" is used Psalm 35:1-16 - Exhorting i...  Read More

I love that these two artisans keep being named and lifted up38:21ff - HUGE amounts The women leave the tomb with fear and great joy.  What a combination!But they run into Jesus as they goMatthew gives only one resurrection time with all the disciples?  Why this and not others included? Psalm 34:11-22 - Read the whole (RTW) - The second half is one to remember when hard times come - vv 11, 15, 18,...  Read More

35:29 - All the people whose hearts made them willing to bring anything for the work that God had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord.  1 cubit = 1.5 ft.  Meaning these curtains were 42 feet!Try to imagine what this might have looked like "Compelled"? - forced?  Paid?The charge isn't really a charge at all - the King of the Jews?  Sedition?Jesus quotes Psalm...  Read More

Moses intervenes before the peopleGod making a covenant with Israel via MosesMoses face - we are changed by our encouters with God.  Jacob, now Moses.  How are our changes obvious to others? Not much to say here other than the heartbreak of it all Psalm 33:12-22 - again, read the whole :-).  This is such a powerful description off faith, belief, and trust.  Love the last 3 verses Proverbs 9:1-6 - ...  Read More

Golden calf - why are we so quick to abandon God?  What are the golden calves we set up in place of God in our lives?God saying "time to start over again"?  and the Lord changed his mind.  These and then the slaughter in the camp - ok to not understand what to do with those things How do we deny Jesus ourselves?What did Judas expect to happen when he betrayed Jesus?Notice Matthew brings in more pr...  Read More

Continue reflecting - which of the commandments do these order/commands connect to?Sabbath as ESSENTIAL - how have we left this behind? Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.  We often focus on Judas and Peter but they all abandoned Jesus at this momentNotice that Jesus never truly defends himself Psalm 32 -Power of confession.  Letting out what we hold in.  Reflect on how shame controls us...  Read More

Ancient practices of sacrifices were common in that time.  Church adopting the practices of others.  And we still do this today - Christmas, hymns, etc.  Incense - Engaging all the senses in worship.  What senses do we regularly engage and which don't we? Why did Judas betray Jesus?  Doesn't really go into reasons.  Speculation of whether it was disappointment in the direction Jesus was goingJesus...  Read More

Symbols matter.  What are some symbols for you in your life?Again, how was all this done in the desert/wilderness? Still in "end stuff" stage.  Here it is how did we choose to live?  Connect the anointing to the details in the Exodus readings currently.  Why the extravagance?  Because it is God!   Psalm 31:1-18 - Again, read the whole if possible.  Shifts to a lament even after the affirmation Pro...  Read More

Where did the supplies come from?  Likely from traders along the wayLamp - eternal flame - the light of God always present Be ready - parable of the bridesmaidsBe faithful - talents parable Psalm 31:1-18 - Again, read the whole if possible.  Rock and fortress, support and protection and refuge.  I visualize someone holding onto a rock in a raging river Proverbs 8:1-11 - How is wisdom calling out t...  Read More

Try to read these laws and commands in light of the Ten Commandments.  How do each of these relate to the originals?24:9-11 - All of them saw God?  I honestly don't remember reading this before.  Always something new to findGod is worthy of beauty and the details here Still in the "future" sectionFig tree - object lesson in so manyy ways in the GospelsSpeaks here of how it is always "go time" for ...  Read More

Eye for an eye - limiting of vengeance or equal punishment?  Can be read both waysHow did Moses remember / write all this?Consistency - Both liberals and conservatives with the lawWhat is the intent of the law?  Ordering of a disordered world.  Holiness, purity, and obedienceSabbath - how do you practice this? Future section of MatthewDesolating sacrilege - lots of theories.  Heart of it is when t...  Read More

Theological word for a moment like this is a theophanyDeep sense of the holiness and purity of YHWHAre there 9 or 10 commandments?  Is "No other God" and "idols" part of the same commandment?First 4 commandments - God and us, Other 6 commandments - Us togetherCommandment 5 - Murder or kill? Still in angry Jesus mode - Woes and curses upon those Jesus sees as hypocrites.  But we need to also be wil...  Read More