Readings 1 Samuel 3:1-20 Psalm 139:1-18 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 John 1:43-51 Context 1 Samuel 3:1-20 Hannah prayed for a son, and as her prayers intensified, she promised God that, if he gave her a son, she would give him back to God. She kept her promise and once the child was old enough she sentContinue reading “01.11.21 – 01.17.21”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
01.04.21 – 01.10.21
Readings Genesis 1:1-5 Psalm 29 Acts 19:1-7 Mark 1:4-11 Context Genesis 1:1-5 Our Genesis, Psalm, and Acts passages affirm our gospel passage. In Genesis we start ‘at the beginning’ in the same way the gospel of Mark begins – ‘at a beginning’. There is also the commonality of voice, particularly the power of voice. Voice,Continue reading “01.04.21 – 01.10.21”
12.28.20 – 01.03.21
Readings Jeremiah 31:7-14 Psalm 147:12-20 Ephesians 1:3-14 John 1:1-18 Context Jeremiah 31:7-14 We have spoken much over the past couple of years about the prophet Jeremiah. We have predominantly seen him as he preached to the Israelites before Babylon conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, and took the Hebrews as slaves. His message wasContinue reading “12.28.20 – 01.03.21”
12.21.20 – 12.27.20
Isaiah 61:10-62:3 The later chapters of Isaiah have always held a place in the Christmas story. In this, the third section of Isaiah, Israelites have returned to Judah as the prophet continues to speak hope, even though it all looks hopeless. It is tough to grab ahold of a promise of hope when all youContinue reading “12.21.20 – 12.27.20”
12.14.20 – 12.20.20
Readings 2 Samuel 7:1-16Psalm 89:1-26Romans 16:25-27Luke 1:26-38I John 4:7-21 Context Luke 1:26-38 This week, in Luke, we go back to the announcement by the angel to Mary, announcing her pregnancy. This passage is commonly call the Annunciation. Context for this is very important, it sets us up for a proper understanding, not only of theContinue reading “12.14.20 – 12.20.20”
12.07.20 – 12.13.20
Take Five – Passage Primer for 12.07.20 – 12.13,20 Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Last week, in our Take Five, we saw the two different theories present in the book of Isaiah. One has Isaiah (chapters 1-39) speak of coming destruction because the people have refused to turn back to God, then (chapters 40-55) he speaks asContinue reading “12.07.20 – 12.13.20”
11.30.20 – 12.06.20
Readings Isaiah 40:1-11 • Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 • 2 Peter 3:8-15a • Mark 1:1-8 Context Isaiah 40:1-11 Isaiah can be a confusing book to read, especially if you attempt to read it straight through. For instance, our Isaiah reading last week, we found Isaiah talking to the Hebrews as the exile was ending and they were heading home. This is confusingContinue reading “11.30.20 – 12.06.20”
11.23.20 – 11.29.20
Readings Psalm 80:1-19 • Isaiah 64:1-9 • Mark 13:24-37 • I Corinthians 1:3-9 Context It is doubtful that there has ever been a time or atmosphere that has provided the perfect soil for the Advent season as has been the year 2020. Do you remember the devastating Australian wild fires that consumed the news inContinue reading “11.23.20 – 11.29.20”
11.16.20 – 11.22.20
Readings Ezekiel 34:11-24 • Psalm 95:1-7a • Ephesians 1:15-23 • Matthew 25:31-46 Context Ezekiel 34:11-24 Ezekiel is another of the prophets who prophesied just before and during the exile, specifically in the Southern Kingdom – Judah. He was in the first wave the exile and taken to slavery in Babylon where he continued to prophesy. Ezekiel’s message, in exile, continues toContinue reading “11.16.20 – 11.22.20”
11.09.20 – 11.15.20
Readings Judges 4:1-7 • Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 • Psalm 90:1-12 • 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 • Matthew 25:14-30 Context Judges 4:1-7 This is a fantastic story, to really enjoy the fullness of it I suggest reading all of Judges 4. You are able to grasp the story without a lot of background. The Israelites are now living in the promised land but they areContinue reading “11.09.20 – 11.15.20”
Order, Words, & Voices 