“That’s what disciples, we who are blessed beyond words, do. We are called to do as he did. I AM SALT; I AM LIGHT.”
Tag: Matthew 5
Who Has Authority?
“When we want God to hear our pleas for our flesh and blood enemies to be destroyed by divine action, it ought to make sense for us now that God is not likely to answer such pleas.”
That Joy
“Jesus transcended their here and now. No disease, affliction, demonic oppression could withstand his divine power. No religious corruption could distort his lessons of grace and mercy, power and love for all. JESUS HAS COME.”
Let Them Grow Together
Matthew 13: 24-30 The phrase that catches me in this parable is, “Let both of them grow together.” The slaves of the householder ask how those weeds got among the wheat, and do you want us to go and gather them? The common weed that grew among wheat in those days in those circumstances appeared…
But I Say to You
Matthew 5: 21-26 A fellow bumped into his old friend whom he hasn’t seen in many years. He asked, “How’s your wife?” He replied, “She’s in heaven.” Without thinking, he responded, “Oh, I’m sorry.” Then, realizing that was not the best phrase to use, he said, “I mean, I’m glad . . . Well, what…
Preserve and Illuminate
Matthew 5: 13-20 In a small church during the summer, a pastor was preaching with gusto. Due to the warmth of the evening, the windows were open, and bugs of all sizes were attracted to the sanctuary lights. As the pastor was making an energetic point, a large moth flew into his open mouth. The…
To the Disciples Particularly
Matthew 5: 1-12 A little boy was listening to a long and tedious sermon from the preacher. Suddenly a red light attached to some wires leading to the sound system caught his eye. Tugging his father’s sleeve, he asked, “Daddy, when that red light up there turns green can we go?” Oh, it’s going to…
The Washing Cycle Won’t Stop! ("Its My Turn to Fight")
Before one actually visits them, everyone tends to think of their favorite countries as one grand Disneyland filled with national monuments and historical treasures conveniently laid out for easy viewing, when what they really are filled with, of course, is people going to work, laundromats and places to buy rat poison.” – Bette Midler Our…
More Than You Realize
We went to Bethel Atlanta (www.bethelatlanta.com/) last Sunday to worship with Jason Upton. A couple prayed for us as we stood in line to get in the sanctuary (When was it the last time you had to stand in line and wait to get in the sanctuary to worship?). The woman said to me our…
It’s Worth Remembering (Part 3)
It’s worth remembering why I named this blog Psalm 102 In the Message. While I was on leave of absence from the pastoral ministry “the first time”, I worked at a hotel in Tuscaloosa, AL. One of my habits was to check with The Daily Office from the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) to see…
Psalm 102 in The Message 