Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.” (Jn. 10:11) It was my first sermon. I was doing an internship after my first year in seminary, and one of our duties that summer was to lead a service at an assisted living home. When it was my turn, I choose to talk about Jesus the Good …
Tag: lost
Forgiving Someone From Our Heart
So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart. (Mt. 18:35) The man was a respected leader in town. The man also had a secret life. During business trips he indulged in risky behavior. In time, he contracted a …
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 …
God’s Grace Can Heal Your Heart
Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice... (Eph. 4:31) Let me call her Eleanor. She was in her seventies. I visited her every month. We would read scripture, pray, share communion together, and then she would launch into bitterly complaining about her mother. During …
Sharing the Love of Jesus
Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Pt. 4:8) He was a difficult man. Everywhere he went he was disruptive and disrespectful. People tried to avoid him. One day he burst into my office and said, “Today I’m going to tell you my story.” I didn’t know …
Jesus Among the “Least of These”
And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ (Mt. 25:41) I’m aware I often write about my experiences at the jail. I go to the jail for several reasons. …
Jesus and the Poor in Spirit
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 5:3) Not many of us feel blessed when we’re feeling broken, worthless, anxious, betrayed, lost, or ashamed. How can Jesus say we’re blessed by God when we’re “poor in spirit?” What I know in my life, and what I’ve seen in …
Jesus, Who Do You Say We Are?
… on the way [Jesus] asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ (Mk. 8:27-29) The disciples have been questioning Jesus’ identity. They have heard …