13 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already decided[a] that Judas son of Simon Iscariot would betray Jesus. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from supper, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 … Read more

29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why … Read more

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.  There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him.  Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped them[a] with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said,  “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the … Read more

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  (John 8: 31,32) I had a person in my life that I cared deeply for, that had built up their life like a house of cards.  They had told me about accomplishments that they never had, had built up relationships that they never enjoyed and developed a whole ‘back story’ to their life that had elements of truth to it but not in the way that … Read more

“Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the man working the vineyard, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut … Read more

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18: 19,20) “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as … Read more

By the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread, until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return. (Genesis 3:19) How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? (Psalm 137:4) He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.     And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy     and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)   This has been a hard week, eh!  (Please note that I’m using that ‘eh!’ in all of its … Read more

“28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus[a] took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the … Read more

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness  (2 Corinthians 12) “Little ones to Him belong.  They are weak but he is strong” (From ‘Jesus Loves Me” written by Anna Bartlett Warner). A couple of years ago I was watching an episode of ‘The Simpsons’.   Yes, I know that this cartoon can be outrageous, crude and irreverent, but I also find it at times a scathing and amusing statement on society.  I also am impressed with how they sensitively and progressively handle issues of faith and church most of the time.  Anyway…..in this episode, … Read more

Oh-oh, what’s love got to do, got to do with it?What’s love but a second-hand emotion?What’s love got to do, got to do with it?Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken? (From “What’s love got to do with it?” Written by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten and recorded by Tina Turner) There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1John 4:18) The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, … Read more