Today’s verses are packed with ideas and commands that are highly applicable to people in our culture. I’ve heard that divorce rates are no different in the Christian community than they are in society at large. Additionally, sexuality is the hottest commodity on today’s market. The message is everywhere: old or young, if you’re not…
I have been thoroughly enjoying my times of study and meditation this week. Thanks for all the great comments/questions you’ve been posting. Keep them coming. We only have one day left. As I studied the text, here’s what I learned today: I sat down with my Bible and an excellent book called Kingdom Ethics…
I decided to spend some time studying today’s text: Here’s what I learned: 1. Jesus begins by addressing the role of “the Law” and “the Prophets”. These are 2 parts of the Old Testament. The Law, also known as Torah, is the first 5 books of the Hebrew Scriptures (O.T.). The Prophets are the latter…
I’m trying to memorize today’s text. After my kids get on their bus I’ll be mounting my bike and peddling to work. It’s about a 10km trek. My plan is to chew on the passage while I ride. I’ll tell you how it went later this morning. *Update* So, here’s what I learned as I…
Welcome to all who have taken up the challenge to study and meditate upon Matt. 5. I’m looking forward to the journey. I read through Matt. 5:1-12 a couple of times. Then I picked up a book by Dallas Willard called, The Divine Conspiracy. A large part of his book is devoted to the Sermon on…
I’m starting a new sermon series tomorrow. It’s entitled Formation @ Home. As a practical application of the message I’d like to invite you on a one week meditation and study exercise. Let’s read a few verses each day then post our experiences/responses to what we’ve learned in the passage. Monday – Matt. 5:1-12 Tuesday…
It’s official. It’s Good Friday and our van is dead. There’s no Easter Sunday resurrection in its future. Instead, I dusted off my old road bike and took it to a shop in Scone. They specialize two things: selling nature paintings and fixing bicycles. The place is almost as interesting as the guy who tunes…
Ever since posting my “busy pastor” rant a few weeks ago I’ve been trying to slow down. I’m failing. Miserably.
I’m preaching this Sunday morning. The theme is the church’s role in nurturing faith at home. I’ll be talking about next generation faith. The church can stunt the faith of the emerging generation if young people are not encouraged to leave “home” one day. Jesus did it to the disciples when he sent out the…
I got some bad news on Tuesday. Our Pontiac–the Cadillac of mini-vans–is dying Rotten frame. That was my mechanic’s diagnosis after trying to attach the hoist to something solid. He figures it’ll last the summer. It’s funny. The outside is fiberglass so it looks great. It’s underneath–the part you can’t see–that’s showing evidence of decay….