Sisters
My older daughter, Beri, on the left, has a flare for the dramatic. She loves to pose for pictures and in this one is attempting to look quite European. Beri posted the pic on the left on her Instagram account. Brooke, on the right, enjoys making fun of Beri's dramatic flare and so she simulated the picture and posted this side-by-side version to loving mock her sister. All in good fun. Sisters!
Sisters
John 12:1-11
Jesus returns to Bethany and the home of Lazarus. Jesus is about to enter the last week of His earthly life. He is drawn back to the home of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. In Jesus’ three years of homelessness, this seems to be a home He is most comfortable in. He loves these three siblings. In this chapter as Jesus nears the Triumphal Entry, John paints the picture of contrast. We see the contrast of love and hate and devotion and contempt. First is a story of love and devotion.
The relationship between sisters is always an interesting study of sociology and relational dynamics. I have two grown daughters. It’s been interesting to watch. "Interesting"! Well, that's one of many descriptive words I could use,
I’m sure Martha and Mary loved each other but I suspect they also drove each other a little crazy. Martha has all the tendencies of the first born, maternal sister. She is more grown up, responsible, organized and diligent. Mary is flighty, creative and emotional. A real romantic with fairy-tale dreams and a creative imagination. Read more
You Said, What???
You Said, What???
John 11:45-57
Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done. Therefore, the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, ‘What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.
When it comes to Jesus, you either get Him or you don’t. There are two response to someone who is confronted with the full force of the reality of Jesus and His words. There is either a sense of clarity and an irresistible epiphany or there’s a critical refusal to acknowledge His legitimacy. You will cross paths with both types today.Read more
Mary and Martha
This is Lauro Salinas, a graduate of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program! He now works at an Equestrian Center that provides Equine Therapy for troubled kids. He's a sweet and gentle giant of man.
Mary and Martha
John 11:1-44, part two
As Jesus was approaching the city, Martha went out to Him and said "If you had been here, my brother would not have died.
Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, ‘Where have you laid him? They said to Him. ‘Lord, come and see. Jesus wept.
Mary and Martha were true believers and this is a statement of tremendous faith. They believed Jesus, their Lord, had the power to heal. He had done it before. Why didn’t He come earlier and do it for their beloved brother, Lazarus? Read more
Lazarus, Come Forth
Proud graduates of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program!
Lazarus, Come Forth
John 11:1-44
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister, Martha...So the sisters sent word to Him saying, ‘Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.’ But when Jesus heard this, He said, ‘This sickness is not to the end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.’ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary and Lazarus.
Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, ‘Where have you laid him? They said to Him. ‘Lord, come and see. Jesus wept.
This is story of the raising of Lazarus. In my reading and reflecting, there are two primary observations and lessons I see here. First is the extent of our faith and secondly, the tender compassion of Jesus toward those He loves.
This story is timely for me today. I have been struggling with some doubt and uncertainty about the future. Humbling to me because I usually view myself as strong in faith and firm in Gods sovereignty. Nevertheless, I've let anxiety creep into my soul.Read more
GOOD
This is me and Leigh with some recent graduates of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. We went to Jos. A Banks to help them pick out some new suits!
GOOD
John 10:11-18
“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep."
I've noticed the teaching of John is often repetitive. Three times in verses 11 and 14, Jesus calls Himself "GOOD". The good shepherd. Everything about Jesus is good. And all that He does for us is good. To stretch it a little further, "all things work together for our good..." Romans 8:28.
How do we understand God as being good? Many years ago, I had an acquaintance whose daughter had a terrible accident. Many weeks in the hospital followed and her life hung in the balance. Fortunately, she survived and recovered and is now doing well. In telling the good news of her recover, the dad would summarize the story with “God is good.” Read more
He Loves Me!
He Loves Me!
John 10.1-10
So, Jesus said to them again, truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
My devotions have felt a little dry recently. I usually open my devotional time with "Lord, teach me this morning". Today I opened with "Father, love me this morning." Father, you love me, you cherish me, you adore me, you delight in me. HOW CAN IT BE? May you not only teach me today but also deepen my sense of Your care and love for me.
John 10:2,3, Jesus as our shepherd says, "but He who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by NAME and LEADS them out." Read more
Now I See!
Now I See!
John 9
As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth and His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day...while I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’
He applied clay to my eyes, and I washed, and I now see.
Jesus is drawn to a blind beggar who was blind since birth. Jesus makes a stunning revelation. He says that God caused this man to be born blind to show the works of God. Does God do that sort of predestining work very often? Does he cause hardships in our lives in order to accomplish His purposes? To show forth His power and glory...even if it causes much pain and suffering to the recipient? Read more
The Light
We had some friends from Tennessee visit us in our home in Boerne, TX. "What do you want to do here in Texas?" we asked. The 18 year old daughter said, "one of my friends said that since I'm going to Texas, I have to go to In-N-Out." Having lived in California, I found that to be a pretty funny request. So we visited In-N-Out in Texas!
The Light
John 8:12-59
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world, he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life. So the Pharisees said to Him, ‘You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone.
As He spoke these things, many came to believe. So, Jesus was saying...’If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.’
This is section of John is filled with the teachings of Jesus to the people and to the Pharisees. There is a lot here. There are several themes of massive gravity so I’ll do my best to keep it relevant and concise without glossing over too much. There are a few powerful and familiar gems that we don’t want to miss. Read more
Caught in the Act, part 2
If you only read two of my posts this year, read yesterdays and today.
Caught in the Act, part 2
John 8:3-11
“Straightening up, Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’ She said, ‘no one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.’”
“He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Now, this statement alone would strike the conscience of many of us who are sensitive to our own sins and would quickly remind us that we all are sinners. But the consciences of the Pharisees were hardened and they thought they were righteous and worthy to condemn. So, I have to believe that what Jesus wrote on the ground somehow made public the personal sins of the accusers. But we don’t know for sure.
Here’s the lesson He was teaching: No one was worthy to judge and condemn this woman, except Jesus Himself. Read more