Category: Life Notes

Life Notes—September 24, 2009  “As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches; but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, … Continue reading Richness

Life Notes—September 17, 2009  “But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.  He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’”   Mark 9:34-35                                    As I prepare to write this week’s … Continue reading Servanthood

Life Notes—September 10, 2009  “…If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”   Mark 8:34-35                               … Continue reading Humanly Divine Things

Life Notes—September 3, 2009  “They were astounded beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”   Mark 7:37                                    It is often said that we are born with a God-shaped hole in our being and much of our lives are spent trying to fill that … Continue reading A God-Shaped Hole

Life Notes—August 27, 2009  “For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly.  All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:21-23                                    Jesus went on this diatribe in response to a group of Pharisees and … Continue reading Heart-washing

Life Notes—August 20, 2009  “So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’  Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”   John 6:67-69                                    One evening when I was … Continue reading Nowhere Else to Go

Life Notes—August 13, 2009 “…as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19-20 I am not one to spend a lot … Continue reading Imperfect Praise

Life Notes—August 6, 2009  “Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’  Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God that you believe in him whom he has sent.”   John 6:28                                    The whole idea of there being power in the belief in Jesus has been a puzzling … Continue reading Verb-alization

Life Notes—July 30, 2009  “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”   John 6:51                                    In the verses that precede this passage from the sixth chapter of John, the Jews … Continue reading Living Bread

Life Notes—July 23, 2009  “Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.”   John 6:11                                    You probably know this story from the Bible—the story of the loaves and fishes.  Jesus is teaching to a ‘large crowd’ … Continue reading God’s Abundance