Advent 2025, Week 4 – John’s Light of Christmas Past/Present/Future, Part 3 Jesus is the light of Christmas past and present. He brought light into the world, and he continues to bring light in our lives. How so? To answer that question this week, we’ve been studying the writings of his disciple John. In John 3,Continue reading “How Jesus as Light of the World matters to our daily lives”
Tag Archives: Gospel of John
Difficult family relationships at the holidays
Advent 2025, Week 4 – John’s Light of Christmas Past/Present/Future, Part 1 I have a friend from college who, together with his wife, have experienced numerous difficulties in parenting. Our kids are about the same age, and they even had three boys then a girl just like us. One of their sons married, then soonContinue reading “Difficult family relationships at the holidays”
Pastor, that’s the dumbest thing you ever said – Speaking life to each other, Part 4
This week I welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor, having served 30+ years in both local churches with his wife, Debbie, and in denominational administration. He has also taught theology and led a pastoral assessment center for many years. He and Debbie, along with their two daughters and son-in-law are membersContinue reading “Pastor, that’s the dumbest thing you ever said – Speaking life to each other, Part 4”
How to have two-way communication with God – Praying in the Spirit, Part 3
More than praying through lists, we were built to commune with God. He doesn’t want us to be like the spouse that just gives him a to-do list (as I mentioned in this post). God created us for communication, for a two-way relational conversation, not just with other humans, but also with him. He createdContinue reading “How to have two-way communication with God – Praying in the Spirit, Part 3”
We are restored for mission – John 21, Part 5
Jesus responded to Peter’s three denials by with three restorations. Though Peter had committed a terrible offense to Jesus, Jesus does not see Peter as beyond help. Do you see what this means? You are not beyond God’s love and forgiveness. You are not beyond God’s redemption. You are loved and forgiven. God can redeemContinue reading “We are restored for mission – John 21, Part 5”
How Jesus responds to the fact that one of his best friends disowned him at the moment of his greatest need – John 21, Part 4
When Peter denied Jesus, has Peter lost his position as leader? Is Peter qualified to be one of the 12 disciples anymore? When you deny your Lord, haven’t you committed the unforgivable sin? What Peter did was extremely significant, and not in a good way. Now Jesus addresses the elephant in the room, the factContinue reading “How Jesus responds to the fact that one of his best friends disowned him at the moment of his greatest need – John 21, Part 4”
The elephant in Jesus’ room… revealed – John 21, Part 3
I purposefully skipped a detail in my telling of the story of Jesus’ ministry years in the previous post. It’s an important part of the story. It’s the elephant in the room we’ve been talking about this week (see first post here). The elephant is about Peter. Back in chapter 13 we listened as JesusContinue reading “The elephant in Jesus’ room… revealed – John 21, Part 3”
A second fishing miracle – John 21, Part 2
Jesus’ disciples have just had a terrible night of fishing, catching nothing. Then in the hazy hours of the morning a stranger shows up on shore. “Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”Continue reading “A second fishing miracle – John 21, Part 2”
The elephant in Jesus’ room – John 21, Part 1
You know that phrase, “the elephant in the room”? It refers to the idea that there is something that everyone knows about, but no one is talking about it. Imagine you’re walking through the mall, and there is a literal elephant walking down the large mall hallways. But as you’re walking what if no oneContinue reading “The elephant in Jesus’ room – John 21, Part 1”
When we behave badly and don’t want to admit it – John 21, Preview
We were in the mouth of the goal, and the guy next to me was yelling at me. He had a good reason. I had just thrown him to the ground. It was during a college soccer game with our rivals. We were vying for position on a corner kick, and the guy on theContinue reading “When we behave badly and don’t want to admit it – John 21, Preview”
Engaging Scripture 