Is God in control? People use that phrase a lot, but is there anywhere in the Bible that teaches that God is in control? In the previous post we looked at an article that said it was going to list verses that confirmed God’s control, but ended up not doing so. So are there otherContinue reading “Is God a universal puppet master? – Current Events Q2 2020 – Is God in control?, Part 2”
Tag Archives: Jesus
What to do in the middle of nonstop bad news – Matthew 28, Part 5
I’m wondering if you’ve experienced an inner yearning lately for some good news. As I’m writing this, our world is in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic. Every day the news reports how many people have contracted the virus and how many people have died. This morning I watched the weekly CBS News morning show’sContinue reading “What to do in the middle of nonstop bad news – Matthew 28, Part 5”
What Jesus wants his followers to do – Matthew 28, Part 4
Do you ever wonder if you are doing what Jesus wants you to do? Have you felt confused or concerned that perhaps you aren’t doing the right thing? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us wonder, but often life is so busy, or we get stuck in a rut, that we don’t take theContinue reading “What Jesus wants his followers to do – Matthew 28, Part 4”
Two Easter stories: one false, one true – Matthew 28, Part 3
What is the true Easter story? As we have been following the telling of the Easter story in Matthew 28, we’ve learned that some women who were followers of Jesus, early on the Sunday morning after Jesus died, discovered an angel waiting in front of his empty tomb. Check out the previous two posts hereContinue reading “Two Easter stories: one false, one true – Matthew 28, Part 3”
The first mission of the church was given to women- Matthew 28, Part 2
It is Sunday morning. Early. Still dark. In our previous post, we followed Matthew’s account of what happened after Jesus’ death on that Friday and Saturday long ago. We started at Matthew 27:50, watching as Matthew gave us short rapid camera shots, from a variety of locations around Jerusalem. Now look at Matthew 28:1. MatthewContinue reading “The first mission of the church was given to women- Matthew 28, Part 2”
What happened after Jesus died – Matthew 28, Part 1
We will all have coronavirus stories to share for years to come. Recently my daughter said, “This will be an event that I’ll be telling my kids and grandkids about.” And she is right. There will be so many stories. The courageous health care workers working to heal those who contracted the virus, many ofContinue reading “What happened after Jesus died – Matthew 28, Part 1”
How Jesus matters during times of crisis – Matthew 21:1-17, Part 5
When I think about this coronavirus crisis, I think about how important healthcare workers are to our well-being. I think about how I pray every day for a vaccine to be developed more rapidly than medical scientists believe is humanly possible. I think about how we need to continue social distancing, even when we’re allContinue reading “How Jesus matters during times of crisis – Matthew 21:1-17, Part 5”
Would Jesus say Christianity is polluted or pure? – Matthew 21:1-17, Part 3
Have you ever wondered if Christianity in our day and age is polluted? Or is it pure? These are wide statements, and Christianity is so diverse that one word, like “polluted” or “pure” cannot possibly describe the whole of it. But take a look at trends in the faith. Consider the larger movements within theContinue reading “Would Jesus say Christianity is polluted or pure? – Matthew 21:1-17, Part 3”
Jesus’ first kingly act? He goes to the market! – Matthew 21:1-17, Part 2
In my county, we have many farmers’ markets and bazaars, places where people can rent space, set up a stand and sell their produce or wares. The three most popular and busy are probably Central Market in the city, Green Dragon in Ephrata, and Root’s in Manheim, though there are others. They are incredibly funContinue reading “Jesus’ first kingly act? He goes to the market! – Matthew 21:1-17, Part 2”
Simon the Sorcerer vs the Holy Spirit – Acts 8:4-40, Part 3
There was a powerful man in Samaria. Simon the Sorcerer. All week long we’ve been studying Acts 8:4-40, learning about how Christians should get woke like the early church. One of those earliest Christians, Philip, had traveled to Samaria and started demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit. But there was already a man withContinue reading “Simon the Sorcerer vs the Holy Spirit – Acts 8:4-40, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 