Monthly Archives: July 2014

Matthew 22:1-14 In this parable of the wedding banquet, we have a feast of God’s abundance. However, the original guests will not come, too busy with their everyday lives to accept the King’s hospitality. Some even kill his slaves when … Continue reading →

Matthew 21:33-46 Even within communities of faith, the best of intentions can get sidetracked by our sinful natures. Self-gratification or promotion, politics, and appearances can override the purpose of ecclesia, the Church. We, like the Pharisees, point our index fingers … Continue reading →

Numbers 22:21-38 I used this story of Balaam’s talking donkey during Lenten services one year. After the service, a member challenged me, saying that she had never heard of a talking donkey in the Bible. Later, we went to the … Continue reading →

Romans 6:12-23 Rachel’s mother died when she was six, leaving her to be raised by a psychotic, suicidal father. Rachel nearly died from the effects of anorexia, and as she got older she separated herself from her father in order … Continue reading →

Numbers 21:4-9, 21-35; Acts 17:12-34; Luke 13:10-17 Depression is one of the foremost problems among church members that I have encountered during my ministry. Many pastors, as well, suffer from some type of depression. This is what I think of … Continue reading →

Romans 6:1-11 In Romans 1-5 Paul wrote about people’s need for salvation by grace through faith in Jesus. Beginning with chapter 6, Paul writes about our need to separate ourselves from sin and become more like Christ. Even though as … Continue reading →

Numbers 20:1-13; Romans 5:12-21; Matthew 20:29-34 My first car was a land yacht: a large and heavy 1968 Chrysler 300. One of my friends talked me into driving through an orange grove where we could swim and take oranges. The problem was that the … Continue reading →

Matthew 20:17-28; Romans 5:1-11 On his way to Jerusalem, the mother of James and John requested that her sons be given places of honor next to Jesus’ throne. Jesus looked at the two disciples and put forth his own question: … Continue reading →