Contemplating Grace

Life Notes—February 16, 2012 “Are any among you suffering? They should pray.  Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.  Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.  The prayer of faith … Continue reading Sin and Suffering

Life Notes—February 9, 2012 “A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’  Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose.  Be made clean!’  Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made … Continue reading The Leper and the Church-lady

Life Notes—February 2, 2012 “For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.  On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.  Trust in him at all times, … Continue reading Holy Irony

Life Notes—January 26, 2012 “Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?  Have you come to destroy us?  I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’  But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and … Continue reading Unclean Spirits

Life Notes—January 19, 2012 “Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk.  And he cried out, ‘Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’  And the people of Nineveh believed God, they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth…When God saw what they did, how they turned from … Continue reading A Divine Change of Heart

Life Notes—January 12, 2012 “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28  It was my birthday and the second day of training for my new job inTopeka.  Carrie and I were expecting our first child in two months and life was … Continue reading Why Now?

Life Notes—December 29, 2011 “He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.  I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy … Continue reading Rebirth

Life Notes—December 22, 2011 “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6  Every year is the same.  Well before Thanksgiving I vow to begin my Christmas shopping early and to … Continue reading Where’s the Peace?

Life Notes—December 15, 2011 “And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.’”  Luke 1:46-48a When I was in college I worked at a nursery in Topeka.  The nursery was located near the I-70 exit one … Continue reading The Favor of God