The full passage is Matthew 3:1-12.
It seems we sometimes prefer to think that some of us are wheat and some of us are chaff. But if we are honest, we all have a little chaff on our souls.
When John was talking to the Pharisees and Sadducees he mentions ‘the wrath to come.’ Typically when we think of wrath, we think of a severe, out of control anger. If this wrath to come is from God, we should…..
So often people think or feel there is nothing they can do to help someone who is suffering through addiction or withdrawal. But there is something almost everyone can do and that is pray for increased faith in those who want to help themselves and others to help. Yesterday I read a poet’s blog post titled 3 Days Without about Heroin Addiction. (www.douglassteelepoetry.com) One of the lines in Doug’s poem is “help him help himself.” I wrote the following comment…..
When Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them how to pray he replied by saying, Pray ‘Our Father’
Many people place the emphasis on the word father and the parent child relationship. We are used to thinking about the prayer in that way. Perhaps in part because of Matthew 23:9 where Jesus says don’t call anyone ‘your father on earth, for you have one Father…..
Years ago a young woman whom I worked with asked me why it was that the women in Jesus’ life went to the tomb so soon after Jesus died. Her question took me off guard and I could only answer that it must have been their grief. This young woman had come to my home…..
In the church we are often reminded that Jesus only had three years of ministry.
Those three years are still being thought about and talked about because they brought about such astounding changes in the lives of so many people over the years. Over the years . . . most of the people who have been impacted by Jesus’ three years of ministry have been impacted by them after his death, after his resurrection and after his ascension. Those three…..
Perhaps you’ve heard someone say: “He/She’s so meek.” More than likely you were thinking that in terms of emotional or social weakness of some sort – maybe being shy. But the biblical meaning of the word meek is different than what this generation of English speaking people understand it to be. When Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount the word meek meant humble…..
By the mercies of God, Paul asks the church members to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.
When I read the opening lines of this letter written by the Apostle Paul I can’t help but think about his conversion. From being a man who had been hurling murderous threats against the church to now asking it’s members to become ‘living sacrifices.’ It’s a remarkable transformation! Proof that people can change and that the power of…..
Several days ago I participated in a Walk for Hope hosted by Columbia County Prevent Suicide. It was the third annual walk. I had attended the first one which was in a different location and it seemed there were many more people in attendance. This year the walk was held at the High School Track.
I have a somewhat funny story to share with you although a little sad. I heard a name read and know a person of…..
So much of our life is about making choices. One way to make choices is to observe the way in which other people make choices. Another way is to have someone tell you what to choose. And yet another is to think things through and make your own decision.
Parenting is an interesting task in regards to teaching children how to make their own choices. Some children relish making their own choices while others resist and seem to be…..