Happy Monday

Last week seemed to be full of bad news, and it just kept coming. By the end of the week, however, some issues were turning around. One of the two Boston Marathon bombers was captured alive Friday evening, and events at Asbury Park (New Jersey) and in London, England went ahead as planned with no incidents. Willie Nelson will hold a benefit concert for the people of West, Texas, the site of the fertilizer plant explosion, which is very near his home town.

Sometimes the news is bad. Even when the world is falling apart around us, Jesus is at the right hand of God the Father and ever lives to make intercession. We hold a great treasure in jars of clay, but our hope is much more eternal. If we keep our wicks trimmed and candles burning, we can light the way to that hope for others. So keep calm, carry on, and have a Happy Monday.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

strong and courageous

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For Us or For All?

torah scroll Some of Jesus’ teachings were meant for multitudes of followers, while at other times he taught only his disciples. There are some occasions we cannot be sure who he was talking to, nor if he meant the present time or prophesied of future events. Did you know that sometimes the Apostles wondered about the same things?

Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Luke 12:41-43 Continue reading →

Happy Monday, 1040 Edition

The Lord giveth, the IRS taketh away.

Seriously though, it’s Monday and tax day. But there is always a bright side.  Continue reading →

Does That Mean Denominations?

Screenshot 2013-04-08 at 8.41.09 AMBear with me for a moment. I have not consulted the biblical commentaries nor even my ESV Study Bible notes, and I haven’t searched the Christian blogosphere for other opinions. I’m going to toss this out there and see what comes back. In Luke 9 Jesus was talking about the least and greatest, and then…

John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.” (Luke 9:49-50, ESV) Continue reading →

Jesus Preached the Gospel, and Then Some

jesus_teachingIn Mark 1 (also Matthew 4) Jesus began his public ministry. Before healing the sick or calling disciples, Jesus preached his first sermon:

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15, ESV)

Jesus preached the gospel. Gospel is one of those words we borrowed from Greek when translating the scriptures. It means good news. You can easily recognize Christians that share the gospel by one simple test: is what they are sharing good news? At the first opportunity, Jesus preached the Gospel. He did not preach a four part message series on having a happy marriage or managing a successful business. The Bible has a lot to say about marriage, business, raising children and so forth. But those things are not of the most importance. Where Jesus spent the balance of his time and energy was on spreading the gospel. Continue reading →

Good News for Hobby Lobby

hobby lobbyHobby Lobby’s legal battle against the abortion/contraceptive mandate received a boost Friday (March 29) when the full 10th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to hear the company’s case.

Such “en banc” hearings are relatively rare.

In November a federal judge ruled that Hobby Lobby must cover the drugs in its employee health insurance plans, and in December a three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit refused to step in and prevent Hobby Lobby from being impacted by the mandate.

Continue this story at Baptist Press.

Happy Monday

out of bed

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