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?
My wife, because she loves me, gave me a book. The Pastor as Scholar & The Scholar as Pastor: Reflections on Life and Ministry, by John Piper & D.A. Carson (Crossway 2011). It is a short book with a long title and a powerful punch. Early in chapter one, Piper is commenting on the Philippians … More The Traps of the Heart
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon at the Schoenleber household today, and my bride and I took the time to watch the 1948 version of Anna Karenina. Which led me to the following discovery. There have been . . . at least 18 different movie versions two theater productions nine operas four ballets and one radio production. Amazing. … More On the Watching of Old Films
Reading with the Pastor Mark 1 and Psalm 37:1-22 As you are reading Mark today, don’t miss verse 35-39, but especially verse 35. These verses and the lifestyle that they hint at are a constant challenge to me as a morning-shunning night-person. 35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed … More I Hate Mornings But Jesus Didn’t
Reading with the Pastor Matthew 28 and Psalm 36 Today a question came in on the reading of Matthew 28. Below you will find the question and the answer I quickly scribbled out. Hope both are helpful. . I have a question for you on today’s reading in Matthew 28. . … More A Reader’s Question
Reading with the Pastor Matthew 13 and Psalm 35 Today we get to go back and read one of the pivotal chapters in Matthew, an entire chapter filled with parables of the Kingdom. I love this chapter and can’t wait to preach it sometime later this year. Jesus tells us what the Kingdom of God is … More The Book is Yours
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