Psalm 128:1–6 1 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! 2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4 Behold, thus shall… Continue reading Family Guidance
Category: life’s purpose
Counting the Cost: Discipleship
I suppose it says something about my age that when I think of the word discipleship – several images come to mind: Jesus, sitting on a hillside, teaching his closest followers An oriental sage teaching a young monk nicknamed “grasshopper” A Jedi knight teaching a man named Luke Skywalker about “the force” I know –… Continue reading Counting the Cost: Discipleship
In the Lion’s Den: Integrity
Not many people I know have thoroughly read the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. A bunch of people I know are at least vaguely familiar with the story of “Daniel and Lion’s Den” found there. Here’s a very quick synopsis: Daniel has been granted a great deal of responsibility by his boss. Some… Continue reading In the Lion’s Den: Integrity
Involvement
“I don’t want to get involved…” “What does that involve?” “Whose involved with this?” These are the typical comments you may get – or make yourself – when the issue of commitment comes up. Most of us are so busy, so committed, so “involved” already – that one more request or consideration can put us… Continue reading Involvement
Strengthening Our Grip
Do you ever feel like sometimes you are (to borrow a great line from a Paul Simon song) slip slidin’ away? The media bombards us with the latest screaming headlines regarding the latest horrific news… You find yourself in deep into the “same old argument” with your boss, your spouse, your child, the neighbor next… Continue reading Strengthening Our Grip
Jesus, We Have a Small Request
Mark 10:35-45 New International Version (NIV) The Request of James and John 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right… Continue reading Jesus, We Have a Small Request
The Great Gulf
If you ask me, it is one of the most disturbing stories Jesus ever told. (You find it in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 16:19-31.) It tells of a rich man who, during his earthly life, was greedy and unhelpful to a poor man named Lazarus who simply wanted a few crumbs from the rich… Continue reading The Great Gulf
Paid in Full – Mark 15:1-26
Jesus Before Pilate 15 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him… Continue reading Paid in Full – Mark 15:1-26
Betrayed – Mark 14:53-65
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin 53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 55 The chief priests and the… Continue reading Betrayed – Mark 14:53-65
“The Difficult Journey” – Mark 14:-26-30
26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’[a] 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away,… Continue reading “The Difficult Journey” – Mark 14:-26-30
IGW3 - In God's Word, In God's Will, In God's Work 