For November 19, 2023
ABOUT THIS SUNDAYThis Sunday is called “Christ the King Sunday”. It is the day that we study and celebrate the concept of Jesus being our king. We get a hint of this in the first lesson. The passage...
View ArticleNovember 26, 2023
TIME TO CONFESSI made a big mistake. The reflection titled "For November 19, 2023" are the readings scheduled for November 26th. The reflections below were read today, November 19th. Please accept...
View ArticleFor December 3, 2023
INTRODUCTIONDecember 3rd is the first Sunday in the season of Advent. It also marks the beginning of the church year. If you are not familiar with this season, I’ve provided an explanation in the...
View ArticleFor December 10, 2023
ISIAH 40:1-11THE BACKGROUNDThese words were written at the end of Babylonian captivity. It is sort of God’s pep talk to His people, to prepare them for the long journey home. The passage speaks of...
View ArticleFor December 17, 2023
ISAIAH 61:1-4, 8-11THE BACKGROUNDThis is a dialogue between the people of Israel in exile (through the prophet Isaiah) and God. It comes at a time when they are returning home from captivity in...
View ArticleFor December 24, 2023
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORDISAIAH 9:2-7THE BACKGROUNDOriginally, this was intended to be a coronation song for a king. It was a royal hymn of praise to him and a hope for the future of God’s people. This...
View ArticleFor December 31, 2023
ISAIAH 61:10-62:3THE BACKGROUNDThis part of the book of Isaiah was written about God’s people, who were returning home from exile. God has saved them from what could have been the end of their...
View ArticleFor January 7, 2024
THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORDGENESIS 1:1-5THE BACKGROUNDI have said many times that when I read the Old Testament, I try to discover the God Lesson. This is especially the case, when I read the creation...
View ArticleFor January 14, 2024
1 SAMUEL 3:1-10THE BACKGROUNDThe story of Samuel is an interesting one, and I recommend that you read chapters 1 & 2, so that you can enjoy the whole story. Samuel is the son of a faithful woman...
View ArticleFor January 21, 2024
JONAH 3:1-10THE BACKGROUNDThe story of Jonah and the whale is my best friend Rob’s favorite Old Testament story. It is such a wild and outlandish story. Weird stuff happens all through this four...
View ArticleFor January 28, 2024
DEUTERONOMY 18:15-20THE BACKGROUNDThe book of Deuteronomy is a collection of Moses’ final instructions. Moses addresses the people of Israel, prior to their entrance into the Promised Land. Moses will...
View ArticleFor February 4, 2024
ISAIAH 40:21-31THE BACKGROUNDHave you ever felt like God abandoned you in your time of need? That’s exactly how the Jews felt during exile in Babylon. Before exile, back in Israel, they were behaving...
View ArticleFor February 11, 2024
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD2 KINGS 2:1-12THE BACKGROUNDLet’s do a little time travel! Let’s go back in time nearly 3,000 years. We’ll set our destination as the northern kingdom of Israel, and...
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For February 25, 2024
GENESIS17:1-7, 15-16THE BACKGROUNDAt the conclusion of the story of Noah and the flood, we learn the details of the dispersion of his descendants across the world. Immediately following this, begins...
View ArticleFor February 18, 2024
GENESIS 9:8-17THE BACKGROUNDThe story of Adam comes to a close in Genesis chapter 5. In chapter 6, we learn that the people had become wicked and violent. God has decided to hit the reset button—to...
View ArticleFor March 4, 2024
EXODUS 20:1-17THE BACKGROUNDGod began his relationship with his chosen people when he chose Abraham and Sarah to parent a great nation. Many decades later, they find themselves in Egypt, serving...
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For February 25, 2024 2024
GENESIS17:1-7, 15-16THE BACKGROUNDAt the conclusion of the story of Noah and the flood, we learn the details of the dispersion of his descendants across the world. Immediately following this, begins...
View ArticleFor March 10, 2024
NUMBERS 21:4-9THE BACKGROUNDThe people of God have are wandering in the Sinai wilderness. Jews consider this time the honeymoon part of the relationship between Yahweh and his people. It is during...
View ArticleFor March 17, 2024
PSALM 51Normally, we don’t look at the Psalm, except to read it as an opening worship. But this one is extra special. It is a beautiful prayer and meditation about our sinful nature, and our...
View ArticleFor Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024
The following includes the alternate Gospel reading, which is much shorter than the primary selection. If Pastor decides to use the longer lesson, I will add a reflection for that passage later on...
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