I’m sitting at home listening to an old Bob Bennett record. (Yes, Record! on a turntable). Bennett had/has a silky smooth voice and way with words coupled with a sentimental heart and gift for telling stories that are deeper than anyone expected when he stepped onto a stage with a guitar and a small band. … More Thoughts and a Song Before Father’s Day
Reading with the Pastor James 3 and Psalm 56-57 As a teacher, it is hard for me to get past verse 1 of chapter 3 in the letter of James. “Let not many of you become teachers, my brothers, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.” There is a weight that any teacher … More How is it Possible to Write Without Pain?
Reading with the Pastor James 1 and Psalm 52-53 Most scholars think that the letter of James and the letter to the Galatians are among the earliest letters of the New Testament. My vote is for James. Either way, when we read these 5 short chapters we are looking at the early church in its infancy. … More The Silent Beauty of Reading
Reading with the Pastor Mark 16 and Psalm 51 Psalm 51 is one of the clearest and best examples of a “penitential psalm” in all of literature. David cries out to God in repentance asking for forgiveness for his grievous sins of lust, arrogance, pride, adultery, conspiracy to commit murder, and murder. He knows he has … More When You are Quilty of Everything and You Know It
Reading with the Pastor Mark 14-15 and Psalm 50 “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Mark 14:26 (cf. also Matthew 26:30) Was Jesus a tenor or a baritone? One day we will know. But it is captivating to think of Jesus singing. The consensus among … More Was Jesus a Tenor or a Baritone?
Reading with the Pastor Mark 11 and Psalm 46 “Open my eyes that I might see wonderful things in Your word” (Psalm 119:18). The Temple was to be a house of prayer but in Jesus time it had been turned into a “robber’s den” (Mark 11:17). Here was a specially set aside and sacred place … More When Doing Right Gets You in Trouble
We who have believed are called “ambassadors for Christ” in 1 Corinthians 5:20. We are emissaries of the King of kings. We are commissioned to be heralds of the greatest news ever announced. But what exactly does it mean that we are His “ambassadors”? Maybe this story from the history of Rome will help us … More Tell Me What This Means
Reading with the Pastor Mark 9 and Psalm 45 Today’s reading comes back to a continuing theme in Jesus’ discipleship of the twelve (and of us). This wasn’t the only time that the disciples were caught arguing over which of them had more honor and prestige in the eyes of Jesus. Even on the night before he … More Striving for Power and Prestige
Reading with the Pastor Mark 8 and Psalm 44 Verses 12 and 13 arrested my attention. Sighing deeply in His Spirit, He said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Leaving them, He again embarked and went away to the other … More Thinking about Incarnation
Reading with the Pastor Mark 7 and Psalm 42-43 Today’s readings are sobering and exciting. The Pharisees continue to fight the teaching and ministry of Christ. Even though they have the Scripture, they don’t understand it. Nevertheless, a Gentile woman expresses faith in Christ and a desire to receive His blessing and healing for her … More How About This on Your Gravestone?
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