Category: Scripture

Categories
Current Events Scripture

Voting Tips: 1

  1. If you read the Bible regularly, proceed here. If not, go to Step 2.
    1. Read the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5 through 7 – the Sermon on the Mount. Take your time.
    2. Now read it again. Take your time and ponder what Jesus is saying.
    3. Consider what he says in chapter 7 about how you will know people ‘by their fruit’.
    4. Consider the candidates and the people they pick to be around them as advisors. What do their words and deeds tell you?
    5. Listen to what your heart is telling you.
    6. Go to Step 4.
  2. If you are a church-goer, proceed here. If not, go to Step 3.
    1. It’s time to start reading your Bible. Go to Step 1a.
  3. Consider getting familiar with the Bible by going to Step 1a.
  4. Plan to vote accordingly. Tell your friends and family.
Categories
Bible reading Scripture

Continue well

Once you have finished either Mark or John (referring back to Begin well…), then read the other.

Jesus did what he did because he was who he was.

He was who he was because he did what he did.

We need to hear from both Mark and John to come to know the person the Bible is all about.

And then we need to hear from Matthew.

And Luke.

Once you have read both Mark and John, read Matthew and then Luke.

As you read, remember: the point is to know Jesus better. Look back to Resolved to read? and Does it translate? to help set that context.

Maybe pray one of these prayers, if that helps: A prayer when reading scripture or A prayer for eternal life.

Grace and peace to you…

dw

Categories
Poetry Scripture

Like glory or something

Glory is a thing
or some thing
that shines
or makes things shine
just because
of what it is
or what it finds in them

Kind of like Love
maybe
if the love is of the right kind
like the kind that doesn’t separate

Like the kind that says,
Don’t be afraid
You’re good

There you go
Shining
as though you were my Beloved
or something
Like the Light of the world
or something

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

Christian Standard Bible. CSB Reader’s Bible (p. 1523). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Christian Standard Bible. CSB Reader’s Bible (p. 1571). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Grace and peace to you…

dw

Categories
love Poetry Scripture

Self-isolation

Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him.

1 John 2:15-17 – Peterson, Eugene H.. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language . The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
Who would have thought
when I wear a mask
I don't hide behind it
but instead flash a broad smile:
you are important to me

when I stay home
self-isolating
I reach out:
I care for you this much

Who would have thought
when I deny myself
bear the inconvenient cross before me
(the world behind me)
I follow my Maker
embracing the world
and you

Whoever would have thought 
or said
such a thing?

dw

Categories
Scripture

Light and Darkness

Person standing before window in dark room looking at bright light.

“This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness.

They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God.

Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure.

But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.”

John 3:19-21, Peterson, Eugene H.. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language . The Navigators. Kindle Edition.

I’m enjoying reading The Message, Eugene Peterson’s translation of the Bible, because it gives me fresh insight and perspective on passages that are very familiar. This is an example.

I wrote on this passage a couple of years back, using a more familiar translation. I updated the original post this week with what I hope is a more engaging response. I’d be honored to have you take a look.

Read Original Post

Grace and peace to you…

dw