The Bible in Time...

Parables - The Pearl   Dear Friends, Grace and peace from our loving God. Let us pray … O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer -  Lectionary Page I would ask you to read the Pearl parable from Matthew 13:45-46 (Refer to Snodgrass and Kendall).  I am always fascinated by how Jesus uses so few words to describe a concept about faith. In the God’s Word translation, Jesus uses 31 words to describe what the Kingdom of God is like and how we could respond. We have a jeweler who finds the most perfect pearl, did not react to anyone but went and sold all that he had and bought the pearl. The Kingdom of God is: The most perfect thing ...

Parables - The Hidden Treasure Dear Siblings in God, Grace and peace from our loving God. Let us pray … Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen Book of Common Prayer - General Thanksgiving I would ask you to read the Hidden Treasure parable from Matthew 13:...

What am I reading these days … I will be posting some books from time to time that I am reading to deepen my faith and inspire me to think about new things. Matthew Kelly, of Dynamic Catholic, is one of the most prolific Christian writers of our era. Matthew has a great way to tell the Christian story and encourage daily practices to deepen faith and ministry.  I have been with him on his journey for over 5 years. His organization also does good work in the video devotional arena. His writings are always thought-provoking, and interesting, and get to the basics of the faith. Matthew sent me his 2018 work entitled, “The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity” and he continues to be thought-provoking, and interesting, and gets to the basics of the faith. The big lie is that we as Christians can not achieve holiness but we can by shutting off the negativity of our culture and seek God… the open, loving, and forgiving One. Like all of Matthew’s works … it is a quick read but I enco...

The Parable of Yeast Dear Siblings in God, Grace and peace from our loving God. Let us pray … Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer, Collects I would ask you to read the Yeast (Leaven) parables from Matthew 13:33 | Luke 13:20-21 (Snodgrass).  Jesus in this yeasty parable again is trying to explain what the Kingdom of God is like. One of my most favorite times in my life was Steve and Paula’s New Year’s Eve Bread Party. Both of them were great bakers and great hosts at a party. We would be almost knocked down by the flavors and aromas as we entered the door. Taking off o...

Parables -  The Parable of the Mustard Seed Dear Siblings in God, Grace and peace from our loving God. I would ask you to read the Mustard Seed parables from Matthew 13:31-23 | Mark 4:30-32 | Luke 13:18-19 (Snodgrass). Luke 17:4-6 (Kendall) Kendall points out that the Mustard Seed parables attempt to have Jesus answer the question, “What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like or how shall we describe it? (Mark 4:30) This story tells us four things - Great things can come from tiny starts. God can take the most unlikely person and turn them into a holy vessel (to build the Kingdom.) God can take the most unpromising situation and turn it into triumph and glory. God can take the simplest insight and make it profound (Kendall, pp. 32 - 33) God’s rule is not like an earthly ruler but based on love as a servant. God will do things (ministry) for people in God’s own way. God will always break what we think is the norm of religion and transform it as an act of love no matter the size of ...

Parables - Jesus as Storyteller | 2nd Edition - The Parable of the Sower Dear Siblings in God, Grace and peace from our loving God. I would ask you to read the Sower parable from Matthew 13:1 - 9 and Jesus’ explanation from Matthew 13:18 - 23. Snodgrass suggests Matthew 13:3-23; Mark 4:3- 20; Luke 8:5-15 Jesus teaches us the acceptance of the Word of God by a variety of people.  Seeds on Path - bird eat them up - hears the Word but does not understand. (Kendall - The Supplanted Reaction - keeping blind.) Seeds on Rocky Ground - grew quickly but no roots and died - when persecution comes they fall away. (Kendall - The Superficial Profession - short time.) Seeds on Thorns - grew and were choked - hears the Word but cares of the world and lure of wealth chokes the word and the person. (Kendall - The Stifled Profession by the cares and worries of the world.) Seeds on Good Soil - grew and created much yield beyond imagination - the Word produces great fruit (Kendall - The Solid...

Parables - Jesus as Storyteller 1st Edition - The Parable of the Sower Dear Siblings in God, Grace and peace from our loving God. I would ask you to read the Sower parable from Matthew 13:1 - 9 and Jesus’ explanation from Matthew 13:18 - 23. Jesus teaches us the acceptance of the Word of God by a variety of people.  Seeds on Path - bird eat them up - hears the Word but does not understand. Seeds on Rocky Ground - grew quickly but no roots and died - when persecution comes they fall away. Seeds on Thorns - grew and were choked - hears the Word but cares of the world and lure of wealth chokes the word and the person. Seeds on Good Soil - grew and created much yield beyond imagination - the Word produces great fruit. In this parable, we are fortunate that Jesus takes the time to explain it to the disciples. The disciples are special to receive the teaching for there are many who don’t understand and ultimately have no faith.  The journey of the mature Christian will face ...