Antoni Ciseri’s 1871 “Ecce Homo — Behold the Man”I thought of this famous painting this morning when I read Matthew 27. Matthew’s Gospel alone mentions Pilate’s wife telling him to have nothing to do with Jesus. She told her husband of a troubling dream and said, “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man,ContinueContinue reading “A strange & troubling dream”
Category Archives: God’s will
How should we study the Bible, anyway?
I’ve studied the Bible for 35 years for lots of reasons: information and knowledge, to figure out a crisis I’m going through and to help me defend the faith. But without doubt the best thing I try and do daily (if possible) is to study for the purpose of encountering the living God.Bible reading hasContinueContinue reading “How should we study the Bible, anyway?”
Surrender … total surrender … it’s right there in the Lord’s Prayer
One of the most vital lines to pray — ever! — is “… your will be done.” In fact, Jesus tells us that if we want to learn to pray, this is one issue that is nonnegotiable. Here’s a little practice exercise that will create some good tension for you. It will let you struggleContinueContinue reading “Surrender … total surrender … it’s right there in the Lord’s Prayer”
On the 11th day of Christmas (January 5), my true love gave me … This??
1. Here is the reading for the 11th day of Christmas, January 5th:Matthew 2:16-18 (New International Version, ©2010) 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance withContinueContinue reading “On the 11th day of Christmas (January 5), my true love gave me … This??”
It is sheer grace or it is nothing at all!
I took this on the Sea of Galilee (July 2010)The most incredible story is found in Luke 5:1-11. Jesus chose Peter to be his disciple, and Peter left his fishing business and followed him.But here’s what precipitated that, at least in part, in my opinion. First, a bit of context. Jesus spoke to a crowdContinueContinue reading “It is sheer grace or it is nothing at all!”
The wonder, the mystery of Christmas
Augustine wrote in the 5th century…Oh food and bread of Angels, the Angels are filled by you, but where are you for my sake? In a mean lodging, in a manger. He who rules the stars, sucks at the breast; he who speaks in the bosom of the Father, is silent in the Mother’s lap.ContinueContinue reading “The wonder, the mystery of Christmas”
Two visits, One prayer
Two visits, one prayer…Visit one: “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2VisitContinueContinue reading “Two visits, One prayer”
The old river never stops…
The old mighty Mississippi never stops. I took this on my Blackberry from my 5th floor room at the Grand Harbor Resort in Dubuque, Iowa, where I am attending a Vineyard meeting.This morning I watched the river for a long time. It’s mesmerizing. Watching the river made me think about life, which seems a lot like this oldContinueContinue reading “The old river never stops…”
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