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Showing posts from April, 2017

Stay

"You have stayed with me in my time of trial. And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Luke 22:28-30 One of the first things my daughter and her husband did when they bought their first house was get a dog. A big happy go lucky golden doodle named, "Murphy." He is, of course, a family favorite and honestly I kind of like him too. They've worked on training him and have made some real progress. He'll stay when told to, most of the time. However, when the activity around is too much, staying becomes optional. Jesus had much to say to his disciples as he prepared them for his imminent departure. He made them some amazing promises: they would have places of royalty in his Kingdom, to eat at his table and thrones upon which to rule. Wow! Those were some incredible promises. What was so great abou

We Will

"They answered Joshua, 'We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us. We will obey you just as we obeyed Moses. And may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Anyone who rebels against your word and does not obey your every command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!'"  Joshua 1:16-18 As the last bag of mulch was hauled out of the minivan and spread out under the bushes, the job was done. Those who had agreed to take on that challenge followed through. Their "yes" was truly a "yes." It's great to work with people like that isn't it? It only takes one time in the trenches with someone whose "I will" ends up being an "I didn't" for us to further treasure those whose "yes" means "yes." After Moses' death, Joshua was the guy. The newly anointed leader went right to work calling the people to be faithful to their obligations to God. Th

Mercy

"'Now which of  these three would you say was neighbor to the man who was attacked by thieves?' Jesus asked. The man replied, 'The one who showed him mercy.' Then Jesus said, 'Yes, now go and do the same.'" Luke 10:36-37 After being rocked by waves for over three hours, my poor wife was more than ready to move to calmer waters. As a person who struggles with motion sickness, those waves did her digestive system absolutely no favors. The boat driver took us around the point and then inside the break wall to calm waters. In so doing, he showed her great mercy. Relief was quick and gratitude was high. The story of the Good Samaritan is one just about all of us have heard. A man jumped by thieves and left for dead. Two pass by, but then a third stops to help. One commentator made these observations: For the thieves, the man was a target to rob. For the religious leader, he was a problem to avoid. For the average church goer, he was a curiosity to