I attended worship on Easter morning and heard a good sermon: “Stuck on the Road.” The message was based on Luke 24:13-49, the account of the risen Jesus showing up on the journey of two individuals to their home in Emmaus. The two said that before Jesus had been killed they “had hoped that he was […]
New creation
(Rivers of Eden by Yoram Raanan) Jesus began his public ministry saying, “The Kingdom of God is near” (Mark 1:15). He was announcing that there was something new right around the corner. He went on to make it happen with his sacrificial death and victorious resurrection. Another name for the Kingdom is New Creation. The […]
The challenge of Christmas
Well, yeah: peace, joy, good will. We all want that. Who wouldn’t? Umm, King Herod wasn’t very happy about it. You remember the story in Matthew 2 – after Jesus was born one of those angels appeared to Joseph and told him to take the child and Mary and run for Egypt because “Herod […]
HE REMEMBERS
A story based on Luke 17:11-19 The old fellow is tired. His name is Ephraim. The day has been long and hard… and real good. All of his family – children, grandchildren, and a few cousins – came to his place for a big get together. Of course his wife is there, too. Lots […]
Grab hold
Matthew 11:2-12: When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the […]
The whole Bible
In 18 Lines GENESIS God: I gotcha Adam & Eve: OK, cool Satan: He doesn’t mean it Adam & Eve: Okay Satan: Gotcha Adam & Eve: Oh snap God: I’ll getcha REST OF THE OLD TESTAMENT God: Hang on Hebrews: We’re tryin’ NEW TESTAMENT Jesus: I came to getcha People: Kill ‘im Pilate: […]
Understand and trust
I once was leading a group session as a counselor at an adolescent treatment facility. There were about a dozen kids in the group. We were outside on a deck between two buildings. There were two brothers in the group – 16, 17 years old. One of them had been in the facility for several […]
Trespassing, skinny-dipping, and being in Christ
One summer day when I was about 13, some of my friends and I got together to spend the day in the woods. It was land owned by the family of one of the boys. I don’t remember the exact number but there were about 6 of us. We explored, climbed trees, fished, and just […]
True coffee
April 23, 2092 Judson was awakened by the deep voice of his phone: “Judson, your mother is calling.” At first irritated, he responded, “Oh great!” The phone spoke again, “Do you want me to take a message?” Then Judson remembered what was happening – his grandfather, Papa, in the hospice facility. “No, I’ll talk […]
Weird church names
Some church names are just weird. I guess they weren’t really thinking ahead when they chose what to call their church – or they drank too much communion wine. I once saw a sign in east Texas for “Little Hope Baptist Church” – some but not much “hope for glory” (Colossians 1:27) apparently. Here are […]