It was seriously – kind of crazy. No one knew quite what to expect. When Jesus says, “Wait” – you wait! When Jesus says, “Stay” – very much like a brand new obedient puppy – seeking approval and possibly treats – “you stay!” So they waited and “they” stayed! What they waited and stayed for […]
It was a wild and crazy ride and it was all about to change again. The disciples had witnessed some pretty crazy moments since they signed up to follow Jesus. Fish and loaves of bread were multiplying, Jesus was walking on water, there were countless healings and even a lot of exorcisms. A horrendous storm […]
Jesus was serious about this. It was a serious night. These were parting words and parting thoughts. There was “much to be said” and “very little time to say to say them in.” So, Jesus taught and Jesus prayed. He prayed for future believers. He prayed for those who would one day follow him. What […]
First, a little ha-ha! Three well-to-do, affluent and moneyed sons – were trying to outdo one another with the extravagant gifts they gave their elderly mother on Mother’s Day! The first said, “I got mom a new house!” The second said, “Well, I sent her a new Mercedes.” The third son said, “I’ve have you […]
It was First Isaiah who wrote the words: “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on his shoulders; And his name will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isa 9.6) Ah, Peace! But long before Isaiah had […]
I had a conversation earlier this week with a member of our church family. She expressed to me why she liked coming to church…especially as a new person, a newer member. It was interesting. It gave her a sense of peacefulness, a sense of wholeness, and added a sense of completion to her work week. […]
Ok, so we are talking this evening about “loving.” These are “yes” and “no” questions – they are not rhetorical! Feel free to answer out loud, if you would like: Can you love someone without sending them a birthday card? Can you love someone without having to buy them a birthday gift? Can you love […]
The discourse of Jesus at his final meal with the twelve – in John’s Gospel – has enthralled readers and at the same time it has also mystified them. For those that “intensely study” such things, they see puzzling breaks in thought, interruptions and repetitions. Imagine, the night before his crucifixion, he not only eats […]
We are a “liturgical church.” For most churches that observe the “liturgical calendar and year”- the fourth Sunday of Easter is designated, as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” From the early centuries of the church and well into modern times, the day was observed “only one week after Easter Sunday,” and was regarded as a feast day […]
The cool thing about this text from John’s Gospel is that this is “the only reference” in the Early Christian writings to Hanukkah. It is good that it is here. It is good for continuity and good for a sense of history. It is good for Judeo-Christian relationships. So, Jesus was at the Temple for […]