We all like happy endings and when the outcome is exactly as we hoped or imagined it would be. But sometimes things don’t work out that way. The other day I saw this post of Facebook and it really caught my attention so much that I wanted to share it with you. God Said No! I asked God to take away my pride, and God said “NO”. He said it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give up. I asked God to make my handicapped child whole, and God said “NO”.He said her spirit is whole, her body is only temporary. I asked God to grant…

Close your eyes. What do you hear? Did you notice that you listened more intently when your eyes are closed? Were the sounds more distinct and clear? Think about when you pray with your eyes closed. Are you more focused on the words you say? In Mark 10: 46-52 is a story of a blind man named Bartimaeus who was sitting by the roadside of Jericho begging. Because most occupations of that day required physical labor, anyone with a crippling disease or disability was at a severe disadvantage and was usually forced to beg. At the roadside he would hear people talking about Jesus and would stop them and ask…

Stillness…………….the believers are quiet today as they ponder the events that took place throughout the week. So much so fast it was hard to take it all in and now they are blessed with stillness, quiet, time to think, time to breathe. What a gift from God to have moments of stillness in this hurried and busy life. We need days like this to slow down and remember. To be still and hear from God as He brings peace to the chaos. I was reminded of a song that is very fitting for this day and I would imagine that the believer’s felt this very way about Jesus. It’s called…

“Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.” (Mark 15:1) This began a series of unlawful and unjust trials that would take place throughout the morning. Jesus was paraded around between the religious leaders, Pilate and Herod, all of whom had their own personal agendas and cared nothing for the truth. Pilate did ask, “What is truth?” but chose to reject it when Jesus told him, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came…

Thursday was one of those days that seemed to never end. So many events took place and the emotions that went with them were just as varied. It started out with Jesus and His disciples coming together for the Passover, a celebration that Jesus had eagerly been desiring to spend with them and show them the full extent of His love. He knew His time was near and He had many things He wanted to tell His disciples to further prepare them for His death and resurrection, events that would change their lives forever. Jesus knew He would be betrayed by one of His disciples, disowned by another, and deserted…

As Jesus was leaving the temple He warned His disciples against the religious leaders. They had a great responsibility of shaping the faith of the people, but instead they made up petty rules while living greedily and deceitfully. Their behavior oppressed and misled the very people they were supposed to lead. In contrast to the religious leaders, Jesus took note of a poor widow who was also at the temple. Mark 12: 41-42 reads, “Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small…

On Tuesday Jesus again went to the temple, passing by the withered fig tree. I try to imagine myself right there with Him, hearing the sound of His voice, watching His movements, walking with Him and trying very hard to really hear and remember the message He was giving. Thankfully, His message is written down for us in His word. When I was reading through my bible these were the paragraph titles for the events of Jesus’ day: Jesus says the disciples can pray for anything Religious leaders challenge Jesus’ authority Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants Religious leaders question Jesus about paying taxes Religious leaders question Jesus…

The word “holy” means to be set aside for God’s purpose. The Bible is holy, set aside to reveal the God we meet in faith. Baptism is a time of setting aside the people of God, adopting them into the Kingdom of God. Communion is a time set aside for the family of God to eat and rejoice together. The week from Psalm Sunday through Good Friday is likewise set aside for us as we journey with Jesus during His last week. This week is indeed holy, set aside for God to lead us down the path of pain and sorrow. But Friday is only the beginning. Remember Sunday is…