Reading through a songbook I stumbled on the now dated chorus "Change My Heart Oh God", this started me thinking about other songs that mention metaphors of hardhearted, or heart of stone and our need for change to be like God. Then I started down the Twitter rabbit hole where I saw any number of... Continue Reading →
On Reading Scripture
Let's face it, the Bible can be a difficult book to read and understand, and we all need help capturing it's meaning. On the Book Shelf tab I have a list of resources that I have found helpful but a list is not always helpful. While reading commentaries is helpful, it is probably impractical to... Continue Reading →
Christmas Day
Day of Christmas John 18:36-37 36 Jesus replied, “My kingdom doesn’t originate from this world. If it did, my guards would fight so that I wouldn’t have been arrested by the Jewish leaders. My kingdom isn’t from here.” 37 “So you are a king?” Pilate said. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king.... Continue Reading →
Christmas Eve
Christ Candle Isaiah 9:2-7 2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. 3 You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy. They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest, as those who divide plunder rejoice. 4 As on the day... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: Behind That Silent Night
Scripture: Luke 2:8-14 8There were shepherds in that region, out in the open, keeping a night watch around their flock. 9An angel of the Lord stood in front of them. The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10‘Don’t be afraid,’ the angel said to them. ‘Look: I’ve got good news... Continue Reading →
4th Friday of Advent
Feasting Revelation 19:1-9 After this I heard what sounded like a huge crowd in heaven. They said, “Hallelujah! The salvation and glory and power of our God! 2 His judgments are true and just, because he judged the great prostitute, who ruined the earth by her whoring, and he exacted the penalty for the blood... Continue Reading →
4th Thursday of Advent
Christmas Lights 1 John 2:7-17 7 Dear friends, I’m not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the message you heard. 8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you,... Continue Reading →
4th Wednesday of Advent
Bells Psalm 150 1 Praise God in his sanctuary! Praise God in his fortress, the sky! 2 Praise God in his mighty acts! Praise God as suits his incredible greatness! 3 Praise God with the blast of the ram’s horn! Praise God with lute and lyre! 4 Praise God with drum and dance! Praise God... Continue Reading →
4th Tuesday of Advent
Christmas Pageant Matthew 4:23-25 23 Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues. He announced the good news of the kingdom and healed every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread throughout Syria. People brought to him all those who had various kinds of diseases, those in pain, those possessed by... Continue Reading →
4th Monday of Advent
Christmas Tree 1 Peter 1:10-12 10 The prophets, who long ago foretold the grace that you’ve received, searched and explored, inquiring carefully about this salvation. 11 They wondered what the Spirit of Christ within them was saying when he bore witness beforehand about the suffering that would happen to Christ and the glory that would... Continue Reading →