Bible Note #5 — Deuteronomy 13:1-5

Deuteronomy 13 1 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship … Continue reading Bible Note #5 — Deuteronomy 13:1-5

Bible Notes #4 — Leviticus 21 & 22

Leviticus 21 & 22 In these two chapters, the strict holiness regulations are set down for the  priests.  I am struck especially by the regulations in chapter 22 concerning touching people who are unclean and thus being rendered unclean oneself.  I immediately thought of Jesus and the numerous times we hear of his touching people … Continue reading Bible Notes #4 — Leviticus 21 & 22

Pastor Notes #19

{A note sent to a family whose dog had just been euthanized because of cancer.} Dear Ts, What pain love can bring into our lives!  Whenever we give our hearts in love, we make ourselves vulnerable to sorrow.  Yet in spite of any sorrow that comes into our lives by way of love, the richness … Continue reading Pastor Notes #19

Prayer Note #11

A Prayer from the Winter There is a beautiful, pristine, white layer of snow covering the ground, trees, roofs, every surface.  You've sent us a lovely winter gift, though I know that it can be hardship for some. Still, it is beautiful to look at -- a sort of purity, an unsoiled and unspoiled scene.  … Continue reading Prayer Note #11

Bible Notes #3–Exodus 13:17-18

"When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near.  For God said, 'Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.'  But God led the people around by way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea.  … Continue reading Bible Notes #3–Exodus 13:17-18

Bible Notes #2 — Ecclesiates 7:21-22

  "Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servants cursing you.  Your heart knows that many times you yourself cursed other."  Ecclesiates 7:21-22 [ESV] Have a thick skin!  Don't take personally everything people say.  Don't be quick to take offense.  If we are slow to take offense, … Continue reading Bible Notes #2 — Ecclesiates 7:21-22

Pastor Notes #18

Vision means being able to see.  We have natural vision – eyesight – that enables us to see the physical, material world around us.  God also grants his people spiritual vision which enables us to see spiritual realities as God moves in the world.  The writer of Hebrews tell us that spiritual vision is an … Continue reading Pastor Notes #18

Prayer Notes #9–Wanting What You Want, Lord, Then Doing What I Want

Savior, thank you for your unfailing presence with me.  Thank you for reminding me that everything I do is filled with meaning in you.  You know that I struggle against and resist so much of what you lay before me to do, because I don't "feel like" doing it.  So very much of my meaning … Continue reading Prayer Notes #9–Wanting What You Want, Lord, Then Doing What I Want

Pastor Note #17–Sexual Discipleship

“When Christ calls a man [a person], he bids him come and die.”  That is a powerful statement made by a man who died because of his faith in Jesus Christ and Christ’s calling on his life.  His name was Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  He was a German pastor and theologian, and he was hanged by the … Continue reading Pastor Note #17–Sexual Discipleship

Pastor Note #16 — “Sex With a Purpose”

  What is sex?  And what is it for?  And is your answer any of my business anyway? For all our modern western  society’s fixation on sexuality, I don’t see any evidence that we are any less confused about it than our great grandparents.  So many books are being published on how to deal with … Continue reading Pastor Note #16 — “Sex With a Purpose”