Recent Notes

When I was a kid two things stand out in my memory when I think about stressful
experiences.  First, it was uncomfortable for me to go through the process of choosing sides.  I hated it! When we chose teams for playing ball, I was almost always the last one chosen.   That’s how bad I was!  The other part was following.  I’m not sure why but I never wanted to follow anybody else.  I wanted to be the

We’re looking these weeks at statements Jesus made after the resurrection.  Jesus had several dialogues with his followers beyond the tomb so I’ve selected some phrases we’re looking at as a way of understanding His message in His last 40 days on earth. 

The Lord is Risen!  The Lord is Risen Indeed!  At our Easter Sunrise service last Sunday we divided the congregation into two parts.  One part proclaimed the first part of the statement above.  The Second group responded with the second phrase.  The first thing Easter Sunday morning our family tradition is to do the same be it face-to-face, by phone, or as a text message.  The joy of the resurrection is real to us and as I stated in my message at our community service, the resurrection is the single most significant event in the history of humankind.&n

The finality of Jesus’ words “It is finished,” would seem to imply there was
nothing more to be done.  Yet as we looked at the meaning of these words in our last week’s message we found Jesus isn’t so much declaring the end as He is the accenting the accomplishment of responsibilities opening a vast horizon of new beginnings. Jesus final “word” further indicates this ongoing reality by committing
His Spirit to His Father.  

“It is finished.”  Those words seem so final!  That’s especially true when you
come to the cross.  Jesus uttered words that could be interpreted in many different ways, depending on your point of view.  To his enemies who stood by, at
this point they may have cheered thinking “We won, he’s done for!”   For his family and loved ones there may have been deep sorrow or perhaps relief, the pain is over.  To others they might have jeered saying, “Finished what?  What have you

When was the last time you were really thirsty?  I can remember the deep thirst I experienced when I was biking in the summer heat.  I was so thankful to get a good drink of water.  I can almost feel that quenching feeling even as I write.  How painful and frustrating it must have been for Jesus on the cross, feeling the agony of his crucifixion added to un-quenched thirst.

Jesus set off a major theological fire-storm the day his disciples asked him about a
blind man.  The story is recorded in John chapter 9.  In one sense the examination
of the blind man by the Pharisees turns into an examination of Jesus and who he
claimed to be.  The issue for them was, how can a man claiming to be one come from God do “works” on the Sabbath? 

As we move through the Lenten Season toward the resurrection, we’re now working on the third Word Jesus uttered on the cross, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”  (John 19:26-27NIV)  As I look at these words, a key question enters my mind.  Why did Jesus a

I decided to Google “Death Bed Conversions” just to see what I might get as I started this reflection.