It's a dramatic moment. Jesus is walking the road to Golgotha—the place where he will breathe his last breath. He has been passed between rulers, mocked, beaten, spit on, and mistreated. Yet beneath the physical suffering lies a deeper sorrow: rejection by his own people. Though this suffering was part of God’s redemptive plan, though … Continue reading The Green Tree – Luke 23:31
Growing up I had a German shepherd named Casey. My dad bought her to protect us after he and my mom divorced; I was about five, I needed Casey. I would crawl inside her cage and lie down beside her, stroking her coarse black back and rubbing her soft brown ears. She followed me to … Continue reading Hate Him First – Luke 23
The setting is the Last Supper. Jesus stands on the brink of the greatest trial of His earthly and divine life—His death. In this final, intimate moment with His disciples, He offers a promise: “You will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” … Continue reading Faith on Trial- Luke 22:30–32
Many people have turned away from the Bible—and from Jesus—because they read it and conclude there are too many contradictions. Too many moments where Jesus appears to say opposing things or gives commands that sit on two ends of the spectrum. Where is the consistency in his messages? That is when Christ feels mysterious, even … Continue reading Madman or Mystery- Luke 21
Some Sadducees—who denied the resurrection—approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, if a man dies leaving a childless wife, his brother must take her and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. Each married the woman and died, leaving her childless. Finally, the woman also died. In the resurrection, … Continue reading Whose wife will she be… Luke 20
The Pharisees questioned Jesus, asking, “Tell us, by what authority do You do these things? And who gave You this authority?” (Luke 20:2). But Jesus turned the question back to them, and their response revealed both their position and the source of their authority. False authority is performative and dependent on people, while true authority … Continue reading By What Authority? Luke 20
What do you think of when you think demon possession? I no longer believe that demon possession looks like rolling eyes, spinning heads, or flying objects. Hollywood has distorted the truth and, in doing so, erased something far more dangerous: Satan’s subtlety. Scripture describes him as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, an angel of light, … Continue reading Satan Entered Judas -Luke 22:3
“As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable…”—Luke 19 That introduction matters. It grounds Jesus’ teaching in real life. Zacchaeus becomes the lens through which the parable of the minas is meant to be understood. In other words, “these things” give us context. What Were “These Things”? Moments before the parable, Jesus had a … Continue reading These Things – Luke 19
In Luke 18, Jesus tells a series of short parables centered on prayer. Together, they form a striking contrast between those who ask for help and those who rely on themselves. A widow begs for justice. A religious man thanks God for his righteousness A sinner pleads for mercy. A rich man asks how to enter eternal life. A blind beggar asks to see. The … Continue reading The Widow, the Pharasee, the Rich man, and the Beggar- Luke 18
The Pharisees ask a question that prompts Jesus’ teaching about his return: “When is the kingdom of God coming?” Without extensive study, it is difficult to know precisely how the Pharisees processed the kingdom of God. While we often think of the “kingdom” as a New Testament concept, its roots are deeply embedded in the … Continue reading Kingdom Coming – Luke 17:20-37
Jesus is walking the borderlands—the space between Samaria and Galilee—when ten men appear. They do not approach. They cannot. They stand at a distance, bodies marked, voices raised, shouting the only prayer they have left:“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” The village is unnamed, but it does not need a name. It may have been … Continue reading Go Your Way – Luke 17:11-19
I think most of us are drawn to what resonates with our own lives—what helps us, moves us, encourages us, or asks something of us today. That isn’t evil; it’s human. And not everything human is evil. We gravitate toward what we can relate to. That’s why Scripture can sometimes sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher—noise … Continue reading The Stones – Luke 19
The rich man and Lazarus is about compassion, mercy, the afterlife, reaping and sowing, wealth and repentance. The rich man was not able to secure a place in heaven through his ancestry or his wealth. The Pharisees were known for their love of money, pride, and status. Jesus draws a direct comparison between the rich … Continue reading The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–20)
Jesus begins with a severe warning: “Woe to the one who causes others to stumble. It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and be thrown into the sea.” He immediately follows with a demanding command: “If your brother sins, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him.” At first … Continue reading The Mulberry Tree Parable- Luke 17
The parable of the prodigal son has been retold countless times, often as a story about wayward sinners returning to God. But in its original context, it is primarily a message to the Pharisees and religious leaders—a challenge to their understanding of devotion, righteousness, and compassion. Jesus tells a series of parables in succession, building … Continue reading The Prodigal: A Story for the Religious (Luke 13-15)
Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath day and healed a woman. A synagogue during the time of Jesus was a place of worship, torah reading, prayer and community life. These houses of worship were not the Temple where sacrifices were made instead they were like houses which people gathered on … Continue reading The Synagogue Official (Luke 13:10)
A man in the crowd asks Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Instead of arbitrating, Jesus uses the moment to expose a deeper issue: not merely greed, but a profound lack of trust in God’s provision. Jesus warns, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life … Continue reading A Call to Trust (Luke 12:15)
It’s no secret that the Bible instructs us to love one another. This may be one of the most quoted and well-known teachings in all of Scripture. Perhaps that’s why Luke 12:1 caught my attention: “Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, … Continue reading Stepping on One Another (Luke 12:1)
There is a quiet irony in prophetic utterance. Throughout history, God has spoken words to mankind and we call it prophecy, yet prophecy is not dependent on words alone. From the opening chapters of Genesis, God speaks creation into being—forming the world, life, and order through voice and sound. God chooses speech as a vessel … Continue reading Silent Witness (Luke 1:20)
Where does lasting significance come from ?
The other night we visited a Catholic shrine decorated with Christmas lights, where people stroll and sip hot cocoa. At the center of the path stood a hill with a large cross, and beneath it a small cave holding a nativity scene.“Let’s go see baby Jesus,” I said to my husband. Mary knelt. Joseph leaned … Continue reading Losing Jesus (Luke 2:41)
Are we born free? If so, it is only after first knowing constraint—emerging from the narrow walls of the womb, shaped by forces beyond our control. Freedom is learned through limits. What prepares the soul to desire freedom but bondage?What prepares us to repent before the cross but the harsh reality of sin?What makes us … Continue reading This is Lent
When we talk about contending for our faith, we are talking about fighting a battle. In every battle we have to know who the enemies are, we must be fighting against the enemy; not God. We are fighting to stay with Jesus to believe what he says.
This is the place where everything is magically okay. Where just for a moment in time and space I can forget the world around me and yet at the same time the world is all around me.
What are the rocks in your life? Maybe God calls us to work at removing obstacles in life like rocks in a garden and he wants us to do it ourselves; maybe He wants us to fight against things that are buried in our hearts and past, which prevent growth and life from springing up.
I like to start here in the beginning the place where we always forget to start. And I like to see God as the One who made all the beauty around me. And just sit there for a while.
Peter implores those who have faith to, "Supplement your faith with virtue, knowledge, self control, steadfastness, godliness and brotherly affection and love." What exactly is he saying? One thing we know for certain is that these seven qualities are within our power and control, and we know this must be true because Peter says, "for this very reason make every effort.
1 peter 5:6-12 Peter ends his letter by telling us how we are to relate to God and the devil. Before God we humble ourselves, before the devil we resist. "Humble thyself therefore under the hand of God so that he may exalt you at the proper time.” one way we can humble ourselves before … Continue reading The end of the letter
My natural instinct is to ask God to take away suffering, ease it, remove it. Why would God want to see his children suffer? Why would he not deliver us at all costs? But here peter suggests we are expected to live with it and keep doing good and that for some that is the exact road God has planned and purposed for them.
1 peter 4:9-16 We should all show hospitality to one another without grumbling. We should all love one another, be sober minded and self-controlled. This is a tall order indeed and without grumbling we are to do these things. Without grumbling is the hardest part. Hospitality can be exhausting and stir feelings of resentment and … Continue reading Gifts and Grumbling
There are a lot of questions in this portion. It feels like a hodgepodge of scripture. What did Christ proclaim to the spirits in prison and who were these spirits and what prison does he speak of- hell?
We have to know how to preach the gospel to ourselves when we are losing hope and discouraged first before we know how to give an answer to anyone else.
As Christians and people of faith our conduct is far more important than our words.
God did not choose Israel because they were mighty and God does not choose me because I am good and talented. I believe God makes his choices about who will be His long before we have done anything good or bad, big or small, right or wrong, He made his choices before he made the world .
From the moment I was born; I was odd. The cord was wrapped, not once but twice around my neck, “the devil tried to kill you, he did not want you to be born, there was definitely an assignment on your life" Mom comments. "Mom, that seems dramatic, why would the devil care about me?"
we are now to love the brothers with that new pure heart and put away malice deceit etc...because we are now able to we have fresh power, fresh new start, clean and new.
From the beginning of time Jesus has been God plan of redemption.
How would my life change if I lived as if my faith is not for temporary things like health money or a second house, in other words the things we wish for here, but rather in the things to come after we die.
God has been teaching me that I did nothing to earn a place in his kingdom. I can fully rest knowing he has chosen me. It is not my work, job, responsibility or obligation to maintain or gather his love and favor. I can rest.
In 21 days Passover is celebrated by thousands of Christians and Jews all over the world. Those who celebrate have about 20 days to 'prepare' themselves. But what does that mean exactly, ,how does one "prepare" themselves and this question i pose to Christians who observe Passover. We may have an inkling as to how … Continue reading Passover
The tabernacle is constructed in the exact order as God instructed Moses. The very last task to be completed is making the garments the priests must wear to minister to God in the Holy Place. They are not to appear before either in filthy garments or naked. As in the garden God clothed Adam and … Continue reading Exodus 39
The people sinned with the golden calf, Moses intercedes God seems to pardon the people and renew the covenant by rewriting the commandments on new tablets that Moses cut for himself.
The people of Israel are impatient. They have not learned from their forefather Abraham the lesson of waiting upon the Lord.
I believe, Jesus but I still need supper. Jesus is not talking of actual food, but is using food and water as a metaphor, in this passage. What spurred Jesus to say these things?
The final plague was actually the first to be foretold to Moses as a result of Pharaoh killing Hebrews babies.
Maya's life inspires me and it truly should inspire us all.
it was during Harry S. Truman's presidency that Israel became a Jewish State.
This poem is for any parent who ever felt their work was not good enough.
There is a man I used to know, I think his name is, Jesus He walked upon the land and sea I think his name is Jesus he spoke with words of God and man and healed the blind and lame He fed the sheep with his own hand and called each one by name … Continue reading His Name is Jesus
The future choices we must make Before time steals our youth Before order and innocence Has been swallowed by truth, What is this prison? These invisible bars A cell of indecision A night without stars Trapped by fear The unknown the unseen The answers are rare Beyond my reach Overwhelmed by volume, shadows and tides … Continue reading Decisions
I’m hesitant to write this because there is already so much information available at the push of a button. But to begin properly, I need some sense of order and definition—even if only for myself. A good place to start is with a, general understanding of what ADHD actually is. This is what I know … Continue reading What is ADHD?
Decision paralysis is defined (thanks, AI) as the inability to make a decision due to: Overthinking Fear of making the wrong choice (hello, anxiety) Being overwhelmed by too many options The result? Procrastination, anxiety and sometimes doing nothing at all. A few simple tools can help—limiting choices, setting deadlines, and accepting that “good enough” is … Continue reading Decision Paralysis & ADHD
Several years ago, a mentor who worked in special education told me I showed classic signs of ADHD. At the time, I was explaining how hard decision-making was for me—every choice, big or small, carried the same weight. Life felt like a buffet of all my favorite foods: exciting, but completely overwhelming. I was the … Continue reading Living with an ADHD Brain
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