The Discovery of the Short Post

I was warned when I started blogging about writing posts that were too long.  Shorter posts stand a better chance of being read.  Well, I’ve recently been trying to get our youth involved in some online discussion on their Facebook page.  I tossed out what I hope will be conversation starters, and realize that I don’t [...]

Jesus’ Example: Love Your Enemies

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. 
Those are the words of Jesus in Matt 5:44.  The entire sermon on the mount can be read in Matt 5-7, but let’s deal right now with just this one command.  Like everything Jesus taught, he not only gave the instruction but provided us with his [...]

Parable of the Sower (Fling the Gospel)

In Mark chp 4, one of the parables Jesus shares is the Parable of the Sower.  If you didn’t just click the link to Mark 4, it may be that you know this parable well.  I hope you either know this story already, or at least take the time to read it now.  After telling [...]

Jesus’ Example: Ministry

I have written many posts under the heading of Jesus’ Example.  So much of what Jesus did during his earthly ministry was to give us the examples to follow.  After washing the disciples feet, he actually told them it was an example and they were to do the same.  It was a dramatic demonstration of [...]

Jesus’ Example: Knowing When to Shut Up

Jesus certainly developed the reputation of knowing how to say exactly the right thing at the right time.  On many occasions the Pharisees tried to trap him with rhetoric, only to have Jesus make them look foolish instead.  His words could condemn with their harshness or heal with their gentleness, depending on what the situation [...]

Thoughts on Holy Week: Jesus’ Prayer from the Cross

In his first sermon (Mark 1) Jesus offers a simple message: “Repent and believe the gospel.”  As he hangs on the cross some 3 years later, what is Jesus doing?  We have only a handful of words spoken by Jesus during the crucifixion, but there are some powerful lessons to be shared in them. 
As he [...]

Jesus, Sheep or Shepherd?

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
The 23rd Psalm; a very familiar passage and perhaps the most quoted poetry from the Old Testament.  In John 10, Jesus explains that he is the good shepherd.  He is not a hireling, but loves the sheep, and would lay down his life for them.  He has [...]

Jesus in the Wilderness, a short film

more about "Jesus in the Wilderness, a short film", posted with vodpod

Thank you Noel Heikkinen for sharing this video.  Noel is doing a series on the Old Testament, and reminds us that each time Jesus resisted Satan he quoted from (what we call) the Old Testament [...]

Jesus Shaped Spirituality

What is Jesus Shaped Spirituality?  That is precisely the question that the InternetMonk tried to answer earlier this week.  In short, it is about making sure that our Christianity is modeled after the teachings and examples given to us by the Jesus of the Bible. 
If you’re a regular at this site, you know that I [...]

Jesus, Friend of Sinners

John chapter 4 tells the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well. It just so happens I’ve written on this passage before. This post describes everything “weird” about the conversation Jesus had with her, namely that a religious leader, or any Jewish man for that matter, would not have been talking to [...]