Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-12 4 Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases,yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities;upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our... Continue Reading →
Scripture: Matthew 8:1-13 Now when Jesus had come down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with a skin disease came, kneeled before him, and said, “Lord, if you want, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do want to. Become clean.” Instantly his skin... Continue Reading →
Scripture: Mark 1:29-39 29 After leaving the synagogue, Jesus, James, and John went home with Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed, sick with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. 31 He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she served them.... Continue Reading →
Scripture: John 9:1-17 As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 Jesus’ disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned so that he was born blind, this man or his parents?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents. This happened so that God’s mighty works might be displayed in him. 4 While it’s daytime,... Continue Reading →
One of those conversations that I have with so many people begins like this, "Is _________ a sin?" It is always a joy when these conversations revolve around someone reflecting on their life and truly trying to make sure their life reflects the love and grace of God. However, there are times when people begin... Continue Reading →
Numbers 21 is not one of those chapters most people commit to memory, but as with all passages in the Bible there are things we can learn from it. Ask most people what the story of the "bronze snake" is about and their response will likely either be "I don't know", or "it is simply... Continue Reading →
I was relaxing on the couch last Sunday afternoon when a friend sent me a link to a news story about a Texas pastor killed in a church shooting. It was tragic to hear about Rev. Mark Allen McWilliams, but I admittedly found my ability to show compassion hampered. The article revealed that he had... Continue Reading →
Perhaps you have seen this or something similar as you are scrolling through social media. The picture is using two verses (2 Chron. 7:13-14) to suggest that God has sent COVID-19 on us as a plague. The implication is that we cannot remove this plague except through some kind of repentance. I know that on... Continue Reading →
I think the best way to take questions of forgiveness is to begin by understanding the need for forgiveness. Forgiveness presupposes that two individuals have in the past had a relationship and that this relationship has been strained or broken. This principle holds true whether we talk of a relationship between humans or a relationship... Continue Reading →
Squinting in the Light 