“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Heb. 13:8) One of my least favorite expressions is “same-old, same-old.” When I ask someone how they’re doing, and they say “same-old, same-old,” I’m tempted to do an “encouragement-intervention” on them. The expression sounds so dreary, sullen, and bored. One of the ways I sometimes …
Tag: Comfort
With Barnabas
When he [Paul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord... (Acts 9:26-27) …
Following Jesus
Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’ (Mt. 16:24) Are you all-in? Do you live with urgency, conviction, and purpose? Or, do you hesitate, dabble, hedge your bets, play it safe? One of the most striking characteristics …
Jesus at Our Side
But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.' Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased.(Mark …
Jesus Sets Our Feet Upon a Rock
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. (Is. 40:1-3) …
Dancing With Jesus
He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why …
Made in God’s Image
So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Gen. 1:27) I was in the county jail, visiting a reentry program called “Been There Done That.” The name of the group was apt. They had all been sex workers, who had been just …
Seeing Your Way Forward
On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, ‘King of kings and Lord of lords.’ (Rev. 19:16) One day when I was 10 my mother picked me up from school and told me that Ted (her husband and my step-father) would no longer be living with us. I asked where he …
God’s Love Has No Limits
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) One day as I read today’s scripture to a group of about 60 men, I felt like I could hear Jesus speaking these words into the …
A Circle of Love
“… one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.” (Eph. 4:5-6) One night I received a text from my assistant at work. She asked if I would come to the hospital. Her boyfriend’s grandfather was dying. I wasn’t sure why this family didn’t call their own pastor. Maybe he was still …