He Knows My Hunger Scripture Reading: John 6:22-59 Meditation Less than twenty-four hours ago, Jesus had taken a little boy’s lunch, looked toward heaven, blessed the five barley loaves and two fishes, multiplied them, and threw a kingdom picnic for more than five thousand growling stomachs. Those gathered on the grassy hill ate as much […]
He Knows My Determination Scripture Reading: Mark 7:24-30 Meditation On the northwest border of Galilee, in the region of Phoenicia, are the cities of Tyre and Sidon—ancient homes to the pagan fertility cults of Baal and Ashtoreth. According to the oral law, Jews were not to have any association with these Gentiles. Anyone who broke […]
He Knows My Shame Scripture Reading: John 8:1-11 Meditation She’s looking for “Mr. Right” in the wrong bed. It’s dawn. As the rest of the women in the village are getting dressed and going out the front door to do the morning chores, she’s sneaking through the back door of her neighbor’s house, getting undressed, taking off […]
“Shadows and the Reality” We’ve started our “Saturday in the Scriptures” online class. If you’d like to join the online learning community you can click on the link below and enroll in the “Saturday in the Scriptures” class. Video of Session 4: “Shadows and the Reality” “eXPlain it” portal PDF of Session 4 Notes PDF […]
The Church has literally left its buildings. Many congregations in the Metro Detroit area have just “cancelled”/”suspended” all activities in their physical buildings (including Sunday worship services) because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Though sad, this course of action might lead to a healing outcome for the world and a healthy future for the “Church”. […]
“True to your word, you let me catch my breath, and send me in the right direction.” Psalm 23:3 Every journey has its share of starts and stops and it’s only the better part of wisdom that knows when it’s time to do which. Though the Good Shepherd asks his sheep to follow, he never […]
He Knows My Refusal to Forgive Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15-35 Meditation Peter’s been hurt one too many times. One of his fellow believers has taken advantage of the gift of grace and has turned it into a license – a sanction to sin. To Peter’s credit, he’s tried to work it out. Step by step, […]
He Knows My Rebellion Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-28 Meditation As Jesus walks toward Jerusalem, Israel’s nationalistic morale is low but its Messianic expectations are high. The crowd that follows this itinerant preacher from Nazareth is looking for someone to reclaim the crown of the kingdom of David. If Jesus wants to lead the rebellion against […]
He Knows My Reluctance to Love Scripture Reading: Luke 10:25-42 Meditation Jesus knows that love is an art and that the art of love is to take notice. Ever since his ministry began, Jesus has been trying to paint pictures of what life is like in the kingdom of God. As he paints, the strokes […]
He Knows My Desire to Be First Scripture Reading: Mark 9:30-37; 10:32-45 Meditation The road to Jerusalem leads to a cross but Jesus walks the path anyway. Though they pledge their allegiance to the Master, the disciples, however, want to go their own way. They want to walk the way of glory. They run after […]
He Knows My Faith Scripture Reading: Luke 7:1-10 Meditation Soldiers understand authority. They live and move under the chain of command. When their commander says ‘Go,’ they go. When he says ‘Come,’ they come. When he says ‘Do this,’ they do it double time. In the chain of command, every order is a link of […]
He Knows My Unbelief Scripture Reading: Mark 9:14-32 Meditation When a child is in constant pain and a father’s persistent prayers go unanswered, doubt tears faith apart. The father who brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus’ disciples has faith, but it’s a faith intermixed with unbelief. And right now, unbelief is slowly taking over the lion’s share […]
“You have bedded me down in lush meadows,you find me quiet pools to drink from.” Psalm 23:2 Peace. The very sound of the word is soothing to the soul. It’s a quiet word not easily heard above the clatter of the world’s daily chaos. It never shouts over the madness. It whispers calm into it. […]
“eXPlain it” We’ve started our “Saturday in the Scriptures” class at East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit. If you’d like to follow along with our study you can access the supplemental materials at the “eXPlain it” online learning portal. If you’d like to join the online learning community you can click on the link below […]
He Knows My Loss Scripture Reading: Luke 7:11-23 Meditation For the widow from the village Nain, the death of her only son represents loss upon loss. As her son’s funeral procession makes it way toward the village cemetery, the widow carries a double burden. She’s walked the path from her home to the graveyard once […]
