Believe it or not, Christians don’t agree on everything, including when it comes to voting. God gives us grace in these things.
Whether its national, state or local elections, these are the primary things I look for in political candidates and other ballot issues. What are your non-negotiables when it comes to voting?
For me, I look for candidates whose words and actions echo America’s mission statement, the Declaration of Independence. How they have lived their lives should reflect their belief that all people are equal and endowed by God with unalienable rights - like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Yes, pro-life candidates are high on my list, as are those that want to limit the government‘s power (that liberty thing) as I follow my own dreams.
Further, which candidates are committed to protecting the rights laid out in the US Constitution’s Bill of Rights....
To live my faith, and live it “out loud,” in all aspects of my life.
To speak my mind, and speak it boldly.
To get my news from multiple sources, and not rely on a single source controlled by the government, a political party or any special interest.
To be able to gather with others to protest, to express my grievances with the government, in peaceful and orderly ways.
To be able to own and carry a gun to defend myself.
To know that due process and the rule of law apply to everyone.
To be assured that the separation of powers is maintained between the branches of the federal government as well as the powers retained by the states, and ultimately by the people....like me and you. For example, the federal government is responsible for protecting the country and its citizens, entering into treaties, establishing and enforcing immigration laws, and easing commerce between the states, but power over things like healthcare and education belong to states and individuals! Too much power in the hands of a few is tyranny.
In addition to those things, I’m also looking for which candidates support entrepreneurship, promote a strong free market economy, protect private property and encourage good stewardship of the environment. Yes, I mean capitalism.
And, of course, as a wealthy and powerful nation (and as individuals) we have a huge responsibility to care for the poor among us and around the world. This not only means giving money, but also helping people rise out of poverty. Freedom and capitalism do that better than any other political or economic systems the world has ever seen. I like candidates that recognize that!
So this is my checklist for evaluating politicians and other issues on the ballot. Florida has 11 potential State Constitutional Amendments to vote on as well! Lots to study!
Sadly, all of us humans are well, human. We all make mistakes. We all succumb to temptation. Sometimes those failures disqualify folks for political office and sometimes they don’t. That is up to the voters to decide.
Prayer is an important part of my discernment process. Asking God for guidance, especially when in doubt, is essential. “Lord, is this the right person, is this the right policy, for such a time as this?”
I’m an old-fashioned girl who likes to vote on Election Day and then stay up late watching the results. Then whoever wins, I ask God to give them the strength and wisdom they need for the job ahead.
If you haven’t voted yet, please vote on Tuesday. The future of America will be determined by our decisions.
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Sunday, October 7, 2018
Thoughts on Robert
I did a funeral service for an old friend this past week. Robert Raymond Holmes, Sr. died, having lived 102 years and 5 months. I loved Robert and know he loved me. We just clicked. I got to know him like no one else as he told me his life story that we turned into a book at the time of his 100th birthday that he entitled, “Serving God, Country and Family.” That’s what Robert’s life was all about.
His son Bob told us about how much Robert loved his family. As we prepared the service, his daughters told me he was a beautiful person and a loving father. That he was generous and kind. Wouldn’t you love your kids to say that about you?
A neighbor, John, sang “Arlington” as a testimony to Robert’s love of America and his service.
When it was my turn, I talked about Robert’s love of God. He didn’t wear his faith on his sleeve, but he knew Jesus and followed Jesus. He learned about and grew in his faith through going to his sister’s Sunday School classes, through an adult lifetime of serving in the Catholic Church, and more recently being a part of the Methodist Church where I got to know him as his pastor and his friend.
One of the things Jesus said, over and over in various was was simply, “Follow me.” Jesus said, “Follow me” to 4 fisherman, Peter, Andrew, John and James, a friend of Andrew’s named Philip, a tax collector known Matthew, and many others. A central part of Jesus’ ministry was asking the crowds to follow him and the new life he offered. He said something very similar to a Christian-persecuting Jewish Pharisee named Paul who then became a follower of Jesus in a very dramatic fashion. He saw the light, if you will. These real-life men and women, sharing the story of the resurrection of Jesus, changed the world. Jesus continues to say “Follow me” to all of us.
And what does following Jesus entail? Well, simply put, it means following Jesus’ example and teaching. Don’t think of a life facing Jesus’ back. Think of it like the words we sang from the hymn, “In the Garden.” “And he walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me I am his own.” Jesus is with us on the journey of life.
All Jesus asks is for us to love each other like Jesus has loved us. One rule. Simple to remember, but hard to do. Honestly, if a man can predict death and resurrection and pull it off, I think he is someone we should listened to! Love one another, Jesus said, as I have loved you.
If you were to ask me what following Jesus is like, what loving like Jesus entails, I would tell you he has comforted me at times just like this, sometimes through a sense of peace in my soul and sometimes through the hand of the person next to me. I never feel alone. He has forgiven me when I didn’t deserve it. He has guided me to make good decisions and away from bad ones (you know, that nudge you get?) He always tells the truth. And Jesus, has put people in my path who have made my life richer and fuller, like my husband Dave - and folks like Robert. Those are some of the ways I am to love other folks as well.
Robert was a good man and he lived a good life. The world could use examples of good men. I hope folks will look to his life and follow his example, because when look closely, you will see Robert, throughout his life, was doing his best to follow Jesus. The word “loving” came up a lot when we talked about him. None of us “love” perfectly, that why we should all be grateful for Jesus’ example of forgiveness. Robert recognized his strengths and his weaknesses. He was a humble and grateful man, and often talked about how blessed he was. He lived his life sharing those blessings with others. When I look back on Robert’s life, I see ..
Jesus saying “Follow me,” when Robert talked about his guardian angels, comforting him and protecting him.
Jesus was saying “Follow me,” when Robert described how he knew, without reservation, that Marie was the one for him.
Jesus was saying “Follow me,” as Robert, and so many others, laid down their lives as soldiers in WWII. Robert told me, “I think God wants us to win the war because Hitler was such an evil man. He didn’t want to do it Himself. He wanted the Army to defeat Hitler.”
It was Jesus saying “Follow me” when Robert took advantage of the many opportunities presented to him - like when he was handed some clients to start his own tree surgery business. Robert, in his way, quoted Yogi Bera - “When you come to fork in the road, take it.” And he in turn mentored others and shared similar opportunities with them.
It is a very interesting exercise to look back over your life and see where God’s loving hand has guided you, comforted you, forgiven you. And where you in turn shared those things with others. Those are some of the places I see God at work in Robert’s life and Robert’s life at work in ours....
But that is not all....In these last few weeks, Robert followed Jesus through the valley of the shadow of death. He remained a source of joy and inspiration to everyone around him. And last Friday at 10:03 am Robert followed Jesus through the experience of death itself. On that journey, he, as we all do, went alone.
Facing death, living through the death of someone we love, dying ourselves, are perhaps the hardest things we humans have to do. Death is something that will happen everyone we know - even us.
How we face death, deal with death, depends in large part about what we believe happens after death. Some folks try real hard not to think about it. Others believe that this life is all there is, and when we breathe our final breath, that’s it. We may have lived life well, tried to be a good person, but that’s it. When we’re dead, we’re done. The end. Those left behind grieve and try to find some comfort in memories alone.
Christians have a different perspective For us there is grief at saying good-bye, there is the comfort of great memories to be sure, but there is also the hope that we will be together again. Christians, followers of Jesus, know there is more living to do after we stop breathing. We know that death is not an end but as a new beginning.
How do we know this? Because we just keep following Jesus. Jesus lived, Jesus died, and Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus is alive now. If we live following him, and die following him, we will also be following him beyond that grave.
Today we are celebrating that Robert is still following Jesus. We don’t really know what that life will be like, but if you take the best parts of this life and make them better, I think that is a hint of what eternity is like. New heaven and a new earth.
It’s kind of like this story....There was an old country doctor who would take his dog along with him when visiting patients. The dog would remain outside while the doctor went in for the house call.On one occasion, the physician went to the home of a man with a terminal disease who didn’t seem to have much time to live. The man confessed to the doctor his fears about death and said, “What’s it like when you die?”
The doctor thought for a moment, then got up and opened the front door. His loyal canine friend, who had been waiting patiently on the porch, gleefully bounded in to join his master. The doctor turned to the dying man and said, “Do you see this dog? He didn’t have any idea what was on this side of that door. All he knew was that his master was there, and he wanted to be with him.”
“That’s how I feel about death,” the physician continued. “I don’t really know all the whats and hows about dying. I’m not totally sure what’s on the other side of that door. But I know who is there, and that’s enough for me. I’m looking forward to being with my Master.”
We know Jesus, and all those who have died following HIm, are waiting for us on the other side of death. So take heart in your grief and your mourning. For while Robert’s physical life has ended, his loving spirit lives on. Robert is still following Jesus and my guess is, he is hoping that you are following Jesus too. That is something to celebrate.
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Use It or Lose It!
How is your soul?
We often ask each other, “how are you?” expecting an answer about health or general well-being. But, people are more than their bodies. We are physical, emotional, rational AND spiritual beings. We feel hesitant in asking about each other’s souls because the pervasive attitude in our day and time is that ‘faith is a private matter.’ But should it be?
Due to the influence of atheism, we have purged acknowledgement of the human spirit from not only conversations with friends, but from public discourse and public education. When we fail to acknowledge the dignity inherent in each other’s souls we create a dysfunctional society. When we fail to nurture the souls of our children at home and at school, we abandon our responsibility to give them all the tools they need to live a full life.
Souls, like bodies, can be healthy or unhealthy. As they say, ‘use it or lose it’! If we don’t take care of our bodies with food, sleep and exercise, we become physically weak. When we don’t take care of our souls with prayer, worship and other spiritual exercises, our spirits become weak. They may lose the ability to function altogether.
Many people today say they “believe” in God, but live just like atheists, failing to do anything to nurture and strengthen their souls. Are you as intentional about taking care of your spiritual health as you are taking care of your body?
As you consider Jesus, think about the fullness of human nature, including the human spirit. History shows us people of all times and places acknowledge the human spirit and how our souls yearn to connect with a larger spiritual presence that we sense, but can’t see. Part of Jesus’ amazing message is that God, in God’s great love for us, desires to connect with us too. And that includes you.
Exercise your spirit this week and read the Gospel of John, even if you haven’t read Mark, Matthew and Luke. Be open to the possibility that the Spirit of God is reaching out to the spirit in you.
John wrote his account long after the others, probably in the mid to late 90s, almost 60 years after Jesus’ resurrection. I imagine John as an old man thinking about all he experienced as he walked the length and breadth of Israel with Jesus and His disciples. John goes deep into the meaning of it all – the truth about God, about human nature, about love, forgiveness and so much more.
Read the first chapter, especially the first 18 verses, a few times and think back on them as you read the rest of John’s Gospel. Grasp the significance that Jesus, who walked and talked, healed and taught, laughed and wept, ate and drank, lived and died, is God – the God of Creation, the God of Eternity. As you read, watch what God does and listen to what God says. Open the eyes of your body, your mind, your emotions and the eyes of your soul to Jesus.
Dear Jesus, answer my questions about you. Help me to see what I need to see and hear what I need to hear. Strengthen my soul. Amen.
We often ask each other, “how are you?” expecting an answer about health or general well-being. But, people are more than their bodies. We are physical, emotional, rational AND spiritual beings. We feel hesitant in asking about each other’s souls because the pervasive attitude in our day and time is that ‘faith is a private matter.’ But should it be?
Due to the influence of atheism, we have purged acknowledgement of the human spirit from not only conversations with friends, but from public discourse and public education. When we fail to acknowledge the dignity inherent in each other’s souls we create a dysfunctional society. When we fail to nurture the souls of our children at home and at school, we abandon our responsibility to give them all the tools they need to live a full life.
Souls, like bodies, can be healthy or unhealthy. As they say, ‘use it or lose it’! If we don’t take care of our bodies with food, sleep and exercise, we become physically weak. When we don’t take care of our souls with prayer, worship and other spiritual exercises, our spirits become weak. They may lose the ability to function altogether.
Many people today say they “believe” in God, but live just like atheists, failing to do anything to nurture and strengthen their souls. Are you as intentional about taking care of your spiritual health as you are taking care of your body?
As you consider Jesus, think about the fullness of human nature, including the human spirit. History shows us people of all times and places acknowledge the human spirit and how our souls yearn to connect with a larger spiritual presence that we sense, but can’t see. Part of Jesus’ amazing message is that God, in God’s great love for us, desires to connect with us too. And that includes you.
Exercise your spirit this week and read the Gospel of John, even if you haven’t read Mark, Matthew and Luke. Be open to the possibility that the Spirit of God is reaching out to the spirit in you.
John wrote his account long after the others, probably in the mid to late 90s, almost 60 years after Jesus’ resurrection. I imagine John as an old man thinking about all he experienced as he walked the length and breadth of Israel with Jesus and His disciples. John goes deep into the meaning of it all – the truth about God, about human nature, about love, forgiveness and so much more.
Read the first chapter, especially the first 18 verses, a few times and think back on them as you read the rest of John’s Gospel. Grasp the significance that Jesus, who walked and talked, healed and taught, laughed and wept, ate and drank, lived and died, is God – the God of Creation, the God of Eternity. As you read, watch what God does and listen to what God says. Open the eyes of your body, your mind, your emotions and the eyes of your soul to Jesus.
Dear Jesus, answer my questions about you. Help me to see what I need to see and hear what I need to hear. Strengthen my soul. Amen.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Not Fake News
One of the big debates in our world today concerns what news sources we can trust to deliver the facts. The term “fake news” has been coined to describe any number of phenomena – a biased selection of facts to shape a story, the insertion of the writer’s opinion into a news story, or in some cases, outright lies.
In the first century, I am sure that there was some “fake news” circulating about Jesus along with the truth. As Jesus’ original followers left Jerusalem to escape persecution, as others were executed, and as still others moved out into the world to spread the Gospel message, the early church wanted and needed to preserve their eyewitness accounts in writing. Bear in mind, because of the skill and expense required, only things of value and importance were written down. A written document is a big deal.
Mark and Matthew wrote primarily for Jewish audiences, showing how Jesus’ teaching intersected with Jewish law and how the writings of the Jewish prophets, especially concerning the long-awaited Messiah, pointed to Him.
The Gospel of Luke is directed primarily to the non-Jewish audience of his day. He emphasizes that Jesus came for all people, not just the Jews. As the news about Jesus and His resurrection spread, Gentiles (that is non-Jews) came to accept Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God. They believed in Him and sought to follow His teaching. There was a great debate in the early church if believers had to become Jews before becoming Christians, and thankfully for us pagans today, the answer was “no.”
Luke was a physician who travelled with the missionary extraordinaire, Paul. Paul established churches throughout what is now Turkey, Greece and Italy and wrote most of the letters that comprise the New Testament. He was executed by Nero in the mid-60s AD. With Paul and in his other travels, Luke probably met most of the major players in the early church. Like the historian he is, Luke investigated, talked to these eyewitnesses and those who knew them, read their writings and wrote his own account of the life and teachings of Jesus. He also wrote a history of the early church, The Acts of the Apostles.
Luke’s Gospel begins this way:
“Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.” (Luke 1:1-4)
My prayer this week is that as you read Luke, “you can be certain of the truth.” This isn’t – as it is so popular to say these days - “my” truth or “your” truth. There is no such thing as “my” truth or “your” truth. There is only “the” truth. The truth about our human nature. The truth about Jesus. The truth that is Jesus. Luke’s Gospel is not fake news. Check it out:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/…
Heavenly Father, help us to see the true Jesus and the truth that He teaches us. It is in His name that we pray. Amen.
In the first century, I am sure that there was some “fake news” circulating about Jesus along with the truth. As Jesus’ original followers left Jerusalem to escape persecution, as others were executed, and as still others moved out into the world to spread the Gospel message, the early church wanted and needed to preserve their eyewitness accounts in writing. Bear in mind, because of the skill and expense required, only things of value and importance were written down. A written document is a big deal.
Mark and Matthew wrote primarily for Jewish audiences, showing how Jesus’ teaching intersected with Jewish law and how the writings of the Jewish prophets, especially concerning the long-awaited Messiah, pointed to Him.
The Gospel of Luke is directed primarily to the non-Jewish audience of his day. He emphasizes that Jesus came for all people, not just the Jews. As the news about Jesus and His resurrection spread, Gentiles (that is non-Jews) came to accept Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God. They believed in Him and sought to follow His teaching. There was a great debate in the early church if believers had to become Jews before becoming Christians, and thankfully for us pagans today, the answer was “no.”
Luke was a physician who travelled with the missionary extraordinaire, Paul. Paul established churches throughout what is now Turkey, Greece and Italy and wrote most of the letters that comprise the New Testament. He was executed by Nero in the mid-60s AD. With Paul and in his other travels, Luke probably met most of the major players in the early church. Like the historian he is, Luke investigated, talked to these eyewitnesses and those who knew them, read their writings and wrote his own account of the life and teachings of Jesus. He also wrote a history of the early church, The Acts of the Apostles.
Luke’s Gospel begins this way:
“Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.” (Luke 1:1-4)
My prayer this week is that as you read Luke, “you can be certain of the truth.” This isn’t – as it is so popular to say these days - “my” truth or “your” truth. There is no such thing as “my” truth or “your” truth. There is only “the” truth. The truth about our human nature. The truth about Jesus. The truth that is Jesus. Luke’s Gospel is not fake news. Check it out:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/…
Heavenly Father, help us to see the true Jesus and the truth that He teaches us. It is in His name that we pray. Amen.
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Teach Your Children Well
Do you remember the song “Teach Your Children” from Crosby, Stills and Nash?
You, who are on the road
Must have a code
That you can live by
And so
Become yourself
Because the past
Is just a good-bye
What is your code to live by?
I hope you enjoyed reading Mark last week and learned something new about Jesus. This week your assignment is the Gospel Matthew. Rather than speed read - take a few days with it.
Matthew, one of the original twelve disciples, is its author. Some of what you read will be familiar because much of Matthew is a repetition of Mark’s Gospel. Matthew draws on Mark for what Jesus did, but adds a lot about what Jesus said.
If you are looking for a code to live by, consider what Jesus taught. Jesus is the voice of God teaching us about God and how God wants us to live. If your Bible shows Jesus’ words in red-letters, Matthew is quite colorful!
As you read, imagine being in the crowd listening to what Jesus was saying. Bear in mind, Jesus repeated many these words over and over in different settings and different ways. It is much like how parents have to teach their children! Matthew doesn’t repeat each lesson, but if you don’t catch it the first time, read it again. Here are some highlights:
In Chapters 5, 6, and 7 you will read the famous Sermon on the Mount. I think of this as Christianity 101. It was Jesus’ initial orientation to his disciples about what following Him entails.
In Chapter 10, Jesus commissions the disciples to heal and teach and how they should go about it.
Chapter 13 is a collection of parables. These are stories Jesus uses to explain things to us limited humans. Here the parables are about the Kingdom of God, or what Matthew calls the Kingdom of Heaven. There are also parables on other topics scattered throughout all the Gospels.
In Chapter 18, Jesus shares some radical ideas about being humble, about sin and about forgiveness.
I am also rather fond of Chapter 23 when Jesus lays down a resounding denunciation of hypocrisy and the Pharisees. No meek and mild Jesus here.
In Chapters 24-25 Jesus talks about what I call “Last Things.” Here you will read about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and a series of parables about how God will judge our behavior and the consequences.
You may have noticed in reading Mark that Jesus told His followers three times about His death and resurrection (Mark 8:31-32; 9:30-32; 10:32-34). As you delve deeper into Jesus’ teaching this week, think about what I’ve heard Andy Stanley say: “If a man can predict his own death and resurrection, and pull it off, I just go with whatever that man says.” Think about that as you read the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1&version=NLT
Blessed Lord Jesus, help us hear Your words spoken so long ago. Make them new and alive to us today. Help us take them to heart. In Your Name we pray. Amen.
You, who are on the road
Must have a code
That you can live by
And so
Become yourself
Because the past
Is just a good-bye
What is your code to live by?
I hope you enjoyed reading Mark last week and learned something new about Jesus. This week your assignment is the Gospel Matthew. Rather than speed read - take a few days with it.
Matthew, one of the original twelve disciples, is its author. Some of what you read will be familiar because much of Matthew is a repetition of Mark’s Gospel. Matthew draws on Mark for what Jesus did, but adds a lot about what Jesus said.
If you are looking for a code to live by, consider what Jesus taught. Jesus is the voice of God teaching us about God and how God wants us to live. If your Bible shows Jesus’ words in red-letters, Matthew is quite colorful!
As you read, imagine being in the crowd listening to what Jesus was saying. Bear in mind, Jesus repeated many these words over and over in different settings and different ways. It is much like how parents have to teach their children! Matthew doesn’t repeat each lesson, but if you don’t catch it the first time, read it again. Here are some highlights:
In Chapters 5, 6, and 7 you will read the famous Sermon on the Mount. I think of this as Christianity 101. It was Jesus’ initial orientation to his disciples about what following Him entails.
In Chapter 10, Jesus commissions the disciples to heal and teach and how they should go about it.
Chapter 13 is a collection of parables. These are stories Jesus uses to explain things to us limited humans. Here the parables are about the Kingdom of God, or what Matthew calls the Kingdom of Heaven. There are also parables on other topics scattered throughout all the Gospels.
In Chapter 18, Jesus shares some radical ideas about being humble, about sin and about forgiveness.
I am also rather fond of Chapter 23 when Jesus lays down a resounding denunciation of hypocrisy and the Pharisees. No meek and mild Jesus here.
In Chapters 24-25 Jesus talks about what I call “Last Things.” Here you will read about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and a series of parables about how God will judge our behavior and the consequences.
You may have noticed in reading Mark that Jesus told His followers three times about His death and resurrection (Mark 8:31-32; 9:30-32; 10:32-34). As you delve deeper into Jesus’ teaching this week, think about what I’ve heard Andy Stanley say: “If a man can predict his own death and resurrection, and pull it off, I just go with whatever that man says.” Think about that as you read the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1&version=NLT
Blessed Lord Jesus, help us hear Your words spoken so long ago. Make them new and alive to us today. Help us take them to heart. In Your Name we pray. Amen.
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
One of the biggest challenges for Christians is moving from a childhood faith to an adult faith. I remember learning about Jesus as a child in Sunday School – stories watered down to a child’s understanding. They gave me a good foundation, milk but no meat. As I grew older, I never stopped believing in God, but my following of Jesus became, shall we say, lackadaisical? I stopped going to church but still felt that I was a good person. It was when my world fell apart that I turned back to Jesus, but more about that in a later post.
One of the most eye-opening things for me as an adult is reading the Bible. Getting the real story for myself. I began to resent having been taught bits and pieces, fed by others who focused on the verses and stories they liked and ignored those they didn’t. I wanted the whole story. If you are seriously considering following Jesus, you need to read the Gospel accounts of His life for yourself.
These first four books of the New Testament – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – are eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life. The people who wrote them either knew Jesus or talked to people who had. Today, we easily believe the testimony of witnesses on the news and in court. Why not believe the eyewitness testimony of those who knew Jesus? Suspend, for now, any concerns you have about the authenticity of the Bible. Accept the Gospels as true. If you want more information, send me a note and I’ll get you the academic stuff that supports their veracity.
I’m going to ask you to read the Gospels, one each week for the next four weeks, beginning with Mark.
While Mark is the second book of the New Testament, it was the Gospel that was probably written first, somewhere in the early 50s. This was barely 20 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Mark focuses on making the case that Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah. To put Mark in context, check out this excellent 5 minute video from The Bible Project https://youtu.be/OVRixfameGY
Try reading Mark in one sitting. It is only about 12,000 words long. In comparison, most contemporary novels are in the range of 80,000-100,000 words. As you read, imagine yourself in the story – as part of the crowd, as someone who had a one-on-one with Jesus, or in whatever way tugs on your heart. Ask yourself, could Jesus be the Son of God? And don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t all make sense. I came across a great quote from Billy Graham this week: “You may never understand everything in the Bible, but you can understand something.”
Read whatever translation you like, even that dusty old Bible on your bookcase! Here is the link to the New Living Translation which I find readable and accurate. (If you want to know more about translations, send me a note).
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1&version=NLT
Our Father, guide our reading. Open our hearts and minds to what You want us to know. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
One of the most eye-opening things for me as an adult is reading the Bible. Getting the real story for myself. I began to resent having been taught bits and pieces, fed by others who focused on the verses and stories they liked and ignored those they didn’t. I wanted the whole story. If you are seriously considering following Jesus, you need to read the Gospel accounts of His life for yourself.
These first four books of the New Testament – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – are eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life. The people who wrote them either knew Jesus or talked to people who had. Today, we easily believe the testimony of witnesses on the news and in court. Why not believe the eyewitness testimony of those who knew Jesus? Suspend, for now, any concerns you have about the authenticity of the Bible. Accept the Gospels as true. If you want more information, send me a note and I’ll get you the academic stuff that supports their veracity.
I’m going to ask you to read the Gospels, one each week for the next four weeks, beginning with Mark.
While Mark is the second book of the New Testament, it was the Gospel that was probably written first, somewhere in the early 50s. This was barely 20 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Mark focuses on making the case that Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah. To put Mark in context, check out this excellent 5 minute video from The Bible Project https://youtu.be/OVRixfameGY
Try reading Mark in one sitting. It is only about 12,000 words long. In comparison, most contemporary novels are in the range of 80,000-100,000 words. As you read, imagine yourself in the story – as part of the crowd, as someone who had a one-on-one with Jesus, or in whatever way tugs on your heart. Ask yourself, could Jesus be the Son of God? And don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t all make sense. I came across a great quote from Billy Graham this week: “You may never understand everything in the Bible, but you can understand something.”
Read whatever translation you like, even that dusty old Bible on your bookcase! Here is the link to the New Living Translation which I find readable and accurate. (If you want to know more about translations, send me a note).
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1&version=NLT
Our Father, guide our reading. Open our hearts and minds to what You want us to know. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Considering Jesus
Whatever resolutions you have made for 2018, whatever improvements you want to make in your life, consider this:
“Following Jesus will make your life better and make you better at life.” (Andy Stanley)
Following Jesus can help you with the change you’ve chosen to make in your life, whether it’s abandoning a bad habit or picking up a good one. I can say without hesitation that this statement is true for me, and I really want it to be true for you too.
How has Jesus made my life better?
Because of Jesus - I know I am loved. I am important. I am forgiven. I am not afraid of death. My life has purpose and meaning. No matter my circumstances, there is a joy and peace within me that nothing can shake. I am hopeful. I am never alone. Does any of that sound good to you?
How has Jesus made me better at life?
Following Jesus has made me more loving, more compassionate, more generous, kinder, and more truthful. He has made me less self-centered. Jesus encourages me to look at the world through His eyes and respond to the world the way He does - by putting others before myself. Jesus points me toward choosing good and avoiding evil. Whatever the world throws at me, Jesus gives me the tools to learn from it or deal with it. Does this sound like the way you would like to live?
People reject Jesus for all sorts of reasons. Whatever it is that is keeping you from following Jesus, I am inviting you to put it aside for a time. Be open to the possibility that Jesus is who He says He is.
Who is this Jesus I want you to consider following?
Jesus is a real-life person. He was a Jewish itinerant teacher who lived in Israel in the first century and died by crucifixion. He was seen alive after His death by hundreds of people. Word spread. He and his teachings changed the world.
Jesus is God. Christians describe Him as the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity. The One True God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three persons. One God. God is love. God is relational. God is beyond what we can imagine and as close as our next breath.
If this is true, and I strongly suggest to you that it is, following Jesus will make your life better and make you better at life. Suspend your disbelief. Consider Jesus. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
In the days and weeks to follow, my goal is to introduce you to the Jesus who is my Lord, Savior and Friend. My prayer is that as you read my posts, you will choose to follow Him too. He makes all the difference in the world.
Spirit of the Living God, Open our hearts and minds for the journey ahead, so that we may come to know You as You want to be known and follow You as You want to be followed. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
“Following Jesus will make your life better and make you better at life.” (Andy Stanley)
Following Jesus can help you with the change you’ve chosen to make in your life, whether it’s abandoning a bad habit or picking up a good one. I can say without hesitation that this statement is true for me, and I really want it to be true for you too.
How has Jesus made my life better?
Because of Jesus - I know I am loved. I am important. I am forgiven. I am not afraid of death. My life has purpose and meaning. No matter my circumstances, there is a joy and peace within me that nothing can shake. I am hopeful. I am never alone. Does any of that sound good to you?
How has Jesus made me better at life?
Following Jesus has made me more loving, more compassionate, more generous, kinder, and more truthful. He has made me less self-centered. Jesus encourages me to look at the world through His eyes and respond to the world the way He does - by putting others before myself. Jesus points me toward choosing good and avoiding evil. Whatever the world throws at me, Jesus gives me the tools to learn from it or deal with it. Does this sound like the way you would like to live?
People reject Jesus for all sorts of reasons. Whatever it is that is keeping you from following Jesus, I am inviting you to put it aside for a time. Be open to the possibility that Jesus is who He says He is.
Who is this Jesus I want you to consider following?
Jesus is a real-life person. He was a Jewish itinerant teacher who lived in Israel in the first century and died by crucifixion. He was seen alive after His death by hundreds of people. Word spread. He and his teachings changed the world.
Jesus is God. Christians describe Him as the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity. The One True God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three persons. One God. God is love. God is relational. God is beyond what we can imagine and as close as our next breath.
If this is true, and I strongly suggest to you that it is, following Jesus will make your life better and make you better at life. Suspend your disbelief. Consider Jesus. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
In the days and weeks to follow, my goal is to introduce you to the Jesus who is my Lord, Savior and Friend. My prayer is that as you read my posts, you will choose to follow Him too. He makes all the difference in the world.
Spirit of the Living God, Open our hearts and minds for the journey ahead, so that we may come to know You as You want to be known and follow You as You want to be followed. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
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