Includes reading the Bible, knowing content of Bible Stories and understanding the Bible
“Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning and when they did not find his body there; they came back and told us they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive.” (NRSV Luke 24:22-23) The gospel writer Luke shares …
Please read John 7:1-13 in your prefered translation before reading my reflections below! This not well-known passage gives us a glimpse into Jesus’ family as He continued His ministry on earth. The Biblical witness gives very little information about Jesus’ family. Remember the story of changing water into wine? His mother asked Him to do …
“And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting to his death.” (NRSV Acts 7:59) The 7th Chapter of Acts …
Dec 26, 2022 Acts 7: 59 Christmas and St. Stephen Read More »
“Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. (KJV John 6: 43)“Jesus said, “Don’t bicker among yourselves over me.” (MESSAGE John 6:43)“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. (NIV John 6:43)“Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves.” (NRSV John 6:43) I have not blogged in a couple of months mostly because …
“Thou shall not kill.” (KJV Exodus 20:13)“You shall not murder.” (NRSV Exodus 20:13)“No murder.” (The Message Exodus 20:13) I was coloring a picture of St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow’s Red Square when Russian forces invaded Urkaine. This scene was the next page in my adult coloring book and I call that “God’s timing.” I bought …
“Thou shall not kill.” (KJV Exodus 20:13)“You shall not murder.” (NRSV Exodus 20:13)“No murder.” (The Message Exodus 20:13) In interim pastoral ministry I had the privilege and challenge of teaching confirmation to middle school youth. In confirmation most Lutherans begin to intellectually wrestle with how our faith impacts life issues. Luther honored this commandment as …
“Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them: Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.” (NRSV EX 15:20-21) This is a …
“Jesus wept.” (RSV and KJV John 11:35)“Now Jesus wept.” (THE MESSAGE John 11:35)“Jesus began to weep.” (NRSV John 11:35) This verse is often remembered as the shortest verse in the Bible. Short, but not necessarily sweet, a depth of meaning begs us to listen whole heartedly. The emotions of compassion and grief are not …
“I hear and I tremble within; my lips quiver at the sound. Rottenness enters into my bones and my steps tremble beneath me. I wait quietly for the day of calamity to come upon the people who attack us”. (NRSV Habakkuk 3:16) To those who say the Bible doesn’t really have any significance today, I …
“God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.” (NRSV 1 John:16b) God’s love is the total package. The Bible says that God is love. However, God’s love includes God’s wrath, holiness, grace, forgiveness, wisdom, and sovereignty (read rule or kingdom). Psychologists know that love is …