Shalomlutheran's Blog

Luke 8, v. 42-48

shalomlutheran — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 11:51:13 +0000

This story has always had great meaning to me. Even though a great crowd was around Jesus, and He could not see the suffering woman with His eyes, He felt her touching the hem of His robe and knew that healing power had gone out of Him. He asked..”Who touched me?” How great was her faith? Oh to have her kind of faith; not only in times of suffering but all the time.
Janice

Luke 4, v.23-27

shalomlutheran — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:00:58 +0000

The statement of Jesus…”No prophet is ever welcomed in his hometown.” has always been a mystery to me. Recently, however, I received a bit of insight into this phenomonon. It is that unless people are open minded and willing to receive the grace of Christ and God’s Holy Spirit…even though it is freely given to all…it cannot be received when the “gate” (one’s own mind/heart) is closed. Such a simple concept but I missed it for years. Jancie

Mark 16, v. 12,13

shalomlutheran — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:30:37 +0000

Jesus appeared to many after his body was crucified on the cross but his true identity was not recognized because he appeared in a different form. This should give us a clue as to the insignificance of forms. What really matters is what our thoughts, words, and actions are, as we live our daily lives. Janice

Mark 13, v. 1-2

shalomlutheran — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:24:23 +0000

Jesus said…”You’re impressed by grandiose acitecture? There’s not a stone in the whole works that is not going to end up in a heap of rubble.” These are words to remember. Everything in this world is temporary…only God, and the gifts of God; lasting and unconditional love, deep and real joy, and peace that passes all human understanding….last forever! Janice

Mark 10, v. 17-27

shalomlutheran — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:02:52 +0000

How could Jesus make it any clearer as to how we enter God’s kingdom? “We have no chance at all if we think we can pull it off by ourselves; every chance in the world if we let God do it for us.” (from “The Message) Janice

Mark 9, 42-50

shalomlutheran — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:54:12 +0000

Jesus, and how He lived His earthly life, made it very clear how we should live our lives. And when we have troubles and problems, we are simply being tested, refined, and being made stronger. As iron becomes steel from being placed in fire, we also become spiritually strong by going through the trials of daily life. Janice

Mark 8, v. 29

shalomlutheran — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 12:29:35 +0000

Don’t you think that Jesus asks every believer the question He asked His disciples in v. 29; “What are you saying about me? Who do you say that I am?” It may be the most important question of all. Of course, it’s one thing for us to say who and what Jesus is, however it’s quite another thing to know it from having a deep and personal experience of Oneness/Unity with Jesus and His Holy and Precious Spirit. Janice

Mark 7, v. 1-23

shalomlutheran — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:29:29 +0000

I’m always amazed when reading about the way Jesus talked to the religous people of His day. I wonder what we would do if Jesus appeared and challenged our deep rooted beliefs? “It’s not what we take in but what we spew out that matters.” Janice

Mark 6, v.4-6

shalomlutheran — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:20:59 +0000

Jesus knew that unless people are open to hearing him and have faith that He can do wonderous things, there is little he can do for them. It’s the same today. Teachers cannot teach if students are not open and willing to learn. Janice

Mark 1 and 2

shalomlutheran — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:36:49 +0000

Reading Mark’s accounting of how Jesus worked among the people is so inspirational, so matter of fact. I wonder, however, how you and I would have reacted if we lived back then? Would we be like the “religious” people, sticking to our old beliefs, or would our hearts and minds be open enough to accept Jesus and see that He and God were one? It makes me wonder if things are not the same today? How sad is that? Janice