v13 - Gideon asks the question we all ask - "if you are with us, then why has all this happened?"How do you feel about Gideon here - faithful in responding?  What about his "tests" of God?   Why did Peter weep?  Because Jesus was right and he was wrong?  Because he denied Jesus?  Other?  What would lead us to weep in the ways that we fall short of Jesus' call for us?Jesus is cagey in his responses...  Read More

I struggle with the story of Deborah, Barak, Sisera, and Jael.  I love the fact that a judge is a woman but dang - brutal.  5:31- and the land had rest forty years... vv 35-38 - Hard passage to figure out.  How much of it to take literally, how much figurative?  Is it just a message about being prepared?  And is the "it is enough" a message of "yup - that's a good amount" or "cut it out - that's e...  Read More

And the cycle begins that will really stay with the Israelites the rest of their recorded history - faithful, unfaithful, punished, repent, faithful, repeat...And the weird story of Eglon and Ehud... What is different in how Luke tells these stories than Matthew or Mark?  What difference does it make?  Is it just language?  Or something more?Luke also brings in this disagreemnt about greatness - E...  Read More

I struggle with these stories - were the people having compassion on the inhabitants, were they tired of war, etc?   Be ready, watch, wait - God is moving and working.  Will change at the time we least expectWhat was Judas' main motivation for betraying Jesus?  Psalm 90 - The limitedness of our time vs that of eternity / GodPsalm 91 - Do you recognize this Psalm in a song?  Notice what is left in ...  Read More

Recounting the story once again - know your storyAnd make your choices of who you will follow in faithAnd marking the covenant once again Picks up with after the message about the religious leaders - compared to the widowThen things shift to looking pretty bleak - faith is not always a simple or easy road Psalm 89:38-52 -Even after all the disorder in this Psalm it ends with a reordering - blessed...  Read More

Interesting that then and now, we humans have a tendency to shoot first rather than talk or seek understandingThen later, we come to Joshua's charge - sounds a lot like Moses - be strong and courageous These stories honestly feel like there's an element of Jesus just trying to provoke Psalm 89:14-37 - v14 - the Mt Rushmore of God - sedek, mishpat, hesed, and hemet - the four hebrew words for the a...  Read More

Good morning friends! There was so much happening at RJC on Thursday! It was our day hosting the 513 Relief Bus and we had people everywhere in the building. People were sharing, receiving, learning, helping, serving, and so much more. So many different groups and organizations were here to provide resources for people and the energy and spirit was so wonderful. Scout, the church dog, was also her...  Read More

Divisions already starting - sighAssumption of wrongdoing on the part of those complaining about the altar.  How often do we do the same when soemone does something we don't expect or understand? Like in the other gospels, we come to a place of the tough, somewhat angry Jesus Psalm 89 - Such a contrast to 88 - a triumphant song of praise to God Proverbs 13:15-16 - More just pure commonsense wisdom...  Read More

Same as yesterday...until the endInteresting that the "Cities of refuge" return Was it strangers or just Jesus' followers who were shouting and lining the road?Luke is the only gospel that has both of the scenes after the entry - the weeping over the city and the cleansing of the temple.  How do they connect?   Psalm 88 - Where do we turn when it feels like everything is falling apart?  Also, how ...  Read More

Same thing as yesterday - whose land? I love that Jesus invites himself over to Zacchaeus’ house.  How does the parable of the 10 pounds tie in with Zachaeus?  It seems Jesus (or the writer of Luke) intended to connect.  Is Zachaeus one who has “invested” well?  But who are those Jesus is speaking of who have “buried” their pounds? Psalm 87 - Interesting reading this Psalm in connection to the rea...  Read More

I read this and cannot help but think about the ways in which this land is still under so much dispute today.  This goes back millennia but also those who were in the land before and after.  Whose land is it? As I shared in my sermon from a few weeks ago, who is the ruler over the rich young ruler’s life?  His money?  How power?  His status?  His ego?  Jesus tells him what he needs to let go ofBe ...  Read More

How I long for that last verse in 14 to be a reality for these stories but also for our life - “And the land had rest from war…” Lord in your mercy hear our prayer This is apparently the “what the?” parable sectionWhat I hear in this is “don’t give up” Next parable - humility at the heart.  Convicting parable for me becuase I know I can act more like the pharisee too oftenthe part with the childre...  Read More