John is not alone in telling the story of Jesus. The other three Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life have been published long before. Mark first, then Matthew and Luke soon after. They are all very similar to one another, so John decides to go in a different direction. There is nothing wrong with the otherContinue reading “The importance of belief – Gospel of John Intro, Part 4”
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The backstory of John the Apostle…continued – Gospel of John Into, Part 3
The fisherman we met in the first post of this blog series on the backstory of the Apostle John, brothers James and John, crank out the daily grind of trying to make ends meet in a job that is not very profitable. Day after day goes by. A week here a week there. People areContinue reading “The backstory of John the Apostle…continued – Gospel of John Into, Part 3”
The backstory of John the Apostle – Gospel of John Preview, Part 2
When did John write this Gospel? To answer that question, we need to learn more about John’s life story. He was born into a fisherman’s family in the northern part of Israel, a region around the Sea of Galilee. He and his brother continued the family business. One day John and his brother James heardContinue reading “The backstory of John the Apostle – Gospel of John Preview, Part 2”
Who wrote the…Gospel of John – Intro, Part 1
Let’s play a word association game. I’m going to write a word, and you write down the first word that comes to mind. What one word comes to mind when I say, “Jesus”? God, Son of God, Cross, Resurrection, Christmas, Easter, Love, Friend? All very good words that are associated with Jesus. But what wordsContinue reading “Who wrote the…Gospel of John – Intro, Part 1”
Who is Jesus? – Gospel of John Intro: Preview
Can you prove that Jesus is God, that he was born, lived, died and rose again? Can you prove that he is who he said he is, and that he is who his followers said he is? I have often wished that there was video evidence to help us prove it, but there is not. Continue reading “Who is Jesus? – Gospel of John Intro: Preview”
What to do when the world moves into the neighborhood – Relationships: with the world, Part 5
If we aren’t waiting on some special missionary call from God (see previous post) and we are all called to love the world, does that mean everyone should travel overseas? Please don’t hear me saying that. It takes a certain maturity, a set of gifts and graces to be a good fit for living international. Continue reading “What to do when the world moves into the neighborhood – Relationships: with the world, Part 5”
Why we need to abandon the idea of a missionary call – Relationships: with the world, Part 4
Are you called to be a global Christian? Think not? Keep reading, as I’d like to suggest that you are called. God through Christ wants everyone on the globe to experience his blessings. What blessing? Jesus wants to experience the blessing of abundant life. Jesus himself said he came to bring abundant life, full life,Continue reading “Why we need to abandon the idea of a missionary call – Relationships: with the world, Part 4”
How Jesus’ followers understood God’s heart for the world [and so should we] – Relationships: with the world, Part 3
In the previous post, we learned that God instilled in the ancient nation of Israel his heart for the foreigner, the immigrant, the stranger. What find as we move from the Old Testament to the New Testament is that God himself, in the person of Christ, took on humanity, was born, lived, died, and roseContinue reading “How Jesus’ followers understood God’s heart for the world [and so should we] – Relationships: with the world, Part 3”
God’s heart for the foreigner, immigrant, and the stranger – Relationships: with the world, Part 2
When my grandmother was a little girl, the picture above was likely one of her first views of the United States of America. Edna Lewis was an immigrant from Wales, England. My family tree farther back also includes immigrants from Ireland, Germany, and the Netherlands. But the only immigrant in my family that I actuallyContinue reading “God’s heart for the foreigner, immigrant, and the stranger – Relationships: with the world, Part 2”
Why you need to leave your culture every 24 months – Relationships: with the world, Part 1
Did you ever play that game, “If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?” I would love to go to Wales, England because my grandmother was born there. I would love to go to Israel, Turkey or Greece because of the biblical sites. I would love to goContinue reading “Why you need to leave your culture every 24 months – Relationships: with the world, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 