Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Saturday, May 26, 2012
The Blessed One
Jesus is the Blessed One. The word benediction, which is the
Latin form for the word blessing, means "to say (dicere)
good things (bene)." Jesus is the Blessed One because God has
spoken good things of him. Most clearly we hear God's blessing after
Jesus has been baptised in the river Jordan, when "suddenly there was a
voice from heaven, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on
him'" (Matthew 3:16-17).
With this blessing Jesus starts his public ministry. And all of that ministry is to make known to us that this blessing is not only for Jesus but also for all who follow him.
With this blessing Jesus starts his public ministry. And all of that ministry is to make known to us that this blessing is not only for Jesus but also for all who follow him.
Henri Nouwen
Tomorrow, we celebrate Pentecost...the coming down and the movement of the Holy Spirit that resulted in the birth of the Christian church.
An ancient church father, Origen, said, “The weakness that the Spirit helps us with is the flesh. Whenever the Holy Spirit sees our spirit struggling with the flesh and being drawn to it, he stretches out his hand and helps us in our weakness” (Gerald Bray, ed., Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament VI, Romans [Downers Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1998], 229). What a blessing that the Holy Spirit remembers us and helps us in our weakness.
Tomorrow, we celebrate Pentecost...the coming down and the movement of the Holy Spirit that resulted in the birth of the Christian church.
An ancient church father, Origen, said, “The weakness that the Spirit helps us with is the flesh. Whenever the Holy Spirit sees our spirit struggling with the flesh and being drawn to it, he stretches out his hand and helps us in our weakness” (Gerald Bray, ed., Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament VI, Romans [Downers Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1998], 229). What a blessing that the Holy Spirit remembers us and helps us in our weakness.
We cannot walk this journey alone. God, the Father and Jesus, the Blessed One, reach out to us through the working of the Holy Spirit to accomplish all God would have us do. That still small voice, that feeling in your gut that you just can't shake, that's the Spirit's touch...do not take His direction lightly. For although it may seem like He has chosen an unlikely path, it is always the best one.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Life holds no...
Life holds no sweeter thing than this:
To teach a little child the tale most loved on earth;
And watch the wonder deepen in his eyes;
The while you tell him of the Christ Child's birth;
The while you tell of shepherds and a song,
Of gentle drowsy beasts and fragrant hay;
On which that starlit night in Bethlehem,
God's tiny Son and His young mother lay...
To teach a little child the tale most loved on earth;
And watch the wonder deepen in his eyes;
The while you tell him of the Christ Child's birth;
The while you tell of shepherds and a song,
Of gentle drowsy beasts and fragrant hay;
On which that starlit night in Bethlehem,
God's tiny Son and His young mother lay...
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Genealogy
When you read the geneology of Jesus in Matthew 1 below, notice the names in purple...
1 This is the genealogy[a] of Jesus the Messiah[b] the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
4 Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba),
7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
9 Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,
11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah[c] and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
12 After the exile to Babylon:
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13 Zerubbabel the father of Abihud,
Abihud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
14 Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Akim,
Akim the father of Elihud,
15 Elihud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.
17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.
The names in purple are of women! They break in unexpectedly and have unorthodox and unplanned significance. It is worth a few moments of your time to read the stories of Tamar, Rahab (x 2), Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary.
As you read, you may come to realize that the genealogy you might expect for someone as important as the Messiah has been “tainted” — by women! Women who were outside acceptable norms for the time. All but one (Mary) is from another land. Their marital status is certainly questionable. Their stories are filled with pain and suffering resulting in the births of sons. They represent the common experience of all women in some way... for how many of us have suffered what they suffered.
This genealogy implicitly reminds us that from the very beginning of God’s interaction with us, women have been a very important part of His plan. Their place is not as celebrated, not as obvious, and not recorded as much as God’s interaction with men. But that's not God’s fault. It is due to the domination of women by men.The importance of women in God’s plan continues to be illustrated throughout Jesus’ life. Women testified to the reality of Jesus in unique ways in the Gospels and experienced His healing ministry in very special ways: Elizabeth; the woman with the hemorrhage; the woman who anoints Jesus’ head; the Canaanite woman; the Samaritan woman; the daughter of Jairus; Mary Magdalene.
Jesus’ genealogy makes it clear that there is Someone who sees the bigger picture. We can know that this relentless pattern can be and is shattered when we allow God’s promise to be fulfilled in our lives — the promise that the consequences of sin have been overcome in Jesus. This is the promise that Mary fulfilled by allowing God to shatter everyone’s expectation for her and for her Son. Jesus' ancestors tell us that God is breaking the expectation that we women have become used to — the consequences of sin — and God is restoring our original dignity. His promise is the final word, if we but live it out.
1 This is the genealogy[a] of Jesus the Messiah[b] the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
4 Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba),
7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
9 Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,
11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah[c] and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
12 After the exile to Babylon:
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13 Zerubbabel the father of Abihud,
Abihud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
14 Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Akim,
Akim the father of Elihud,
15 Elihud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.
17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.
The names in purple are of women! They break in unexpectedly and have unorthodox and unplanned significance. It is worth a few moments of your time to read the stories of Tamar, Rahab (x 2), Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary.
As you read, you may come to realize that the genealogy you might expect for someone as important as the Messiah has been “tainted” — by women! Women who were outside acceptable norms for the time. All but one (Mary) is from another land. Their marital status is certainly questionable. Their stories are filled with pain and suffering resulting in the births of sons. They represent the common experience of all women in some way... for how many of us have suffered what they suffered.
This genealogy implicitly reminds us that from the very beginning of God’s interaction with us, women have been a very important part of His plan. Their place is not as celebrated, not as obvious, and not recorded as much as God’s interaction with men. But that's not God’s fault. It is due to the domination of women by men.The importance of women in God’s plan continues to be illustrated throughout Jesus’ life. Women testified to the reality of Jesus in unique ways in the Gospels and experienced His healing ministry in very special ways: Elizabeth; the woman with the hemorrhage; the woman who anoints Jesus’ head; the Canaanite woman; the Samaritan woman; the daughter of Jairus; Mary Magdalene.
Jesus’ genealogy makes it clear that there is Someone who sees the bigger picture. We can know that this relentless pattern can be and is shattered when we allow God’s promise to be fulfilled in our lives — the promise that the consequences of sin have been overcome in Jesus. This is the promise that Mary fulfilled by allowing God to shatter everyone’s expectation for her and for her Son. Jesus' ancestors tell us that God is breaking the expectation that we women have become used to — the consequences of sin — and God is restoring our original dignity. His promise is the final word, if we but live it out.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
The Light of the world...
proclaimed on late night television!
I know I mentioned this in an earlier post but thought the fact that they're getting face time on David Letterman was worth mentioning! Too bad I can't make a road trip to NYC to see it on stage!
I know I mentioned this in an earlier post but thought the fact that they're getting face time on David Letterman was worth mentioning! Too bad I can't make a road trip to NYC to see it on stage!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Information...
about Jesus:
1. He turned water into wine (chemistry)
2. He was born without the act of "normal" conception (biology)
3. He disproved the law of gravity by ascending into Heaven (physics)
4. He disproved the law of diminishing return by feeding the 5,000 (economics)
5. He cured the sick and the blind and raised the dead with medication (medicine)
6. He is the Prince of Peace (government)
7. He had no servants yet they called Him Master.
8. He had no degree yet they called Him Teacher.
9. He had no medicine yet they called Him Healer.
10. He had no army yet kings feared Him.
11. He won no battles yet He conquered the world!
The Father has called Him Worthy, so should we.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Downward Mobility....
The society in which we live suggests in countless ways that the way to go is up. Making it to the top, entering the limelight, breaking the record - that's what draws attention, gets us on the front page of the newspaper, and offers us the rewards of money and fame.
The way of Jesus is radically different. It is the way not of upward mobility but of downward mobility. It is going to the bottom, staying behind the sets, and choosing the last place! Why is the way of Jesus worth choosing? Because it is the way to the Kingdom, the way Jesus took, and the way that brings everlasting life.
Henri Nouwen
The way of Jesus is radically different. It is the way not of upward mobility but of downward mobility. It is going to the bottom, staying behind the sets, and choosing the last place! Why is the way of Jesus worth choosing? Because it is the way to the Kingdom, the way Jesus took, and the way that brings everlasting life.
Henri Nouwen
Thursday, July 1, 2010
In Service to...
Thomas a Kempis wrote:
"Jesus has always many who love His Heavenly kingdom, but few who bear His cross. He has many who desire consolation, but few who care for trial. He finds many to share His table, but few to take part in His fasting. All desire to be happy with Him; few wish to suffer anything for Him."
Profound and important words from his book "Imitation of Christ". Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins and thus assures our place in heaven. He bore the cost that sets us free from death! Does this mean that we should live a life free of pain and suffering? Does this mean that from the point we believe until the end of our days we should be carefree and jolly? Not a all,
We are called to willingly live a life of sacrifice and service. The operative word being "willingly". To serve our fellow man with a disgruntled look on our face and contempt in our heart is NOT the definition of a Christian. To allow Christ to guide us in living a life filled with the joy of serving those in need draws us closer to Him. Before you dismiss this life as dull and boring, how could one be any happier than when serving a Master you can love and trust completely?
"Jesus has always many who love His Heavenly kingdom, but few who bear His cross. He has many who desire consolation, but few who care for trial. He finds many to share His table, but few to take part in His fasting. All desire to be happy with Him; few wish to suffer anything for Him."
Profound and important words from his book "Imitation of Christ". Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins and thus assures our place in heaven. He bore the cost that sets us free from death! Does this mean that we should live a life free of pain and suffering? Does this mean that from the point we believe until the end of our days we should be carefree and jolly? Not a all,
We are called to willingly live a life of sacrifice and service. The operative word being "willingly". To serve our fellow man with a disgruntled look on our face and contempt in our heart is NOT the definition of a Christian. To allow Christ to guide us in living a life filled with the joy of serving those in need draws us closer to Him. Before you dismiss this life as dull and boring, how could one be any happier than when serving a Master you can love and trust completely?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Jesus in Lego's
This statue includes almost 30,000 Lego's and I must say is quite impressive. I heard yesterday that some thought it irreverent because of the media used to build it. It took the students a year and a half to build...when was the last time you spent that much time thinking of our Lord?
Thursday, February 26, 2009
I am not...
I am not what I ought to be.
I am not what I wish to be.
I am not even what I hope to be.
But, by God's grace and Christ's love,
I am not what I was.
unknown
I am not what I wish to be.
I am not even what I hope to be.
But, by God's grace and Christ's love,
I am not what I was.
unknown
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
40 Days
The images attached were drawn by Simon Smith (an artist in the UK) and shows his vision of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. Pay close attention to his depiction of Satan. Thought this was a good way to begin the season of Lent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-6a25Yo2wE
Today is Ash Wednesday "Remember you are dust and into dust you shall return".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-6a25Yo2wE
Today is Ash Wednesday "Remember you are dust and into dust you shall return".
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Jesus Painter
We attended Warmth in Winter, our annual conference youth gathering, this past weekend in Nashville. Once again this young man was on hand to tell us stories with his paint brush. It is even more awe inspiring in person!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7n2p9a5hX8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7n2p9a5hX8
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Forgiveness
John 11:35 "Jesus wept."
This is the shortest verse in the Bible and it tells us much more than you might think at first. It shows that when Jesus became a man and came to redeem us from our sins, He poured out His power and became a shell of what he really was. Jesus felt the same emotions, faced the same temptations and had the same kind of problems that we do. He knows how difficult it is sometimes to maintain self-control.
Jesus came to earth as the ultimate sacrifice so that our sins could be forgiven. Even if we get angry and lose control, Jesus forgives and forgets. If you think about it, you realize that this is the kindest thing anyone can do for another. Always remember to forgive just as Jesus has forgiven you and recognize when you should apologize and ask others to forgive you.
This is the shortest verse in the Bible and it tells us much more than you might think at first. It shows that when Jesus became a man and came to redeem us from our sins, He poured out His power and became a shell of what he really was. Jesus felt the same emotions, faced the same temptations and had the same kind of problems that we do. He knows how difficult it is sometimes to maintain self-control.
Jesus came to earth as the ultimate sacrifice so that our sins could be forgiven. Even if we get angry and lose control, Jesus forgives and forgets. If you think about it, you realize that this is the kindest thing anyone can do for another. Always remember to forgive just as Jesus has forgiven you and recognize when you should apologize and ask others to forgive you.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Family Christmas Cards...
An interesting take on the new trend to send Christmas Cards with "YOUR"
picture on it...I believe he has a point!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97854252
picture on it...I believe he has a point!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97854252
Friday, November 28, 2008
It's Official...
The Christmas Season has begun...oh how I love Advent / Christmas and all it means to us as God's children! So, I begin my celebrations with one of my very favorite Christmas songs...Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmAe2T9UvLo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmAe2T9UvLo
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Hidden
The resurrection of Jesus was a hidden event. Jesus didn't rise from the grave to baffle his opponents, to make a victory statement or to prove to those who crucified Him that He was right after all. Jesus rose again as a sign to those who had loved Him and followed Him that God's divine love was stronger than death. To the women and men who had committed themselves to Him, he revealed that His mission had been fulfilled.
The world didn't take notice. Still, it was this hidden event that freed humanity from the shackles of death.
The world didn't take notice. Still, it was this hidden event that freed humanity from the shackles of death.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Reaching out...
John 14:6 tells us "Jesus answered, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.""
This verse tells us that no one gets to the Father except through the Son. That means believing in Jesus is the ONLY way to receive eternal life---to get to heaven. Many people use this verse when they evangelize others, telling them that if they don't believe in Jesus, they'll go to hell. But God doesn't want us to frighten others into believing in Christ. We aren't Christians out of fear but out of love.
Jesus wants us to reach out and share His love so that others may come to know Him. He wants everyone to know the way to everlasting life and peace. He wants us to share the good news with others.
Society has branded this a cruel, intolerant verse, but it isn't! Jesus isn't intolerant; only people are. Reach out and share His all-inclusive love.
This verse tells us that no one gets to the Father except through the Son. That means believing in Jesus is the ONLY way to receive eternal life---to get to heaven. Many people use this verse when they evangelize others, telling them that if they don't believe in Jesus, they'll go to hell. But God doesn't want us to frighten others into believing in Christ. We aren't Christians out of fear but out of love.
Jesus wants us to reach out and share His love so that others may come to know Him. He wants everyone to know the way to everlasting life and peace. He wants us to share the good news with others.
Society has branded this a cruel, intolerant verse, but it isn't! Jesus isn't intolerant; only people are. Reach out and share His all-inclusive love.
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