fat tuesday? What will you do with this day? Did you know the first U.S. Mardi Gras celebration took place in 1703 in what is now Mobile, Alabama? It was an overflowing feast purposely planned so all the meats and perishable goods that would spoil over the next 40 days of Lent would be eatenContinue reading “just a minute”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
02.01.21 – 02.07.21
Readings Isaiah 40:21-31 • Psalm 147:1-11, 20c • 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 • Mark 1:29-39 Context/Insight Isaiah 40:21-31 Context – I have grown to love this passage as I have spent more time with it recently. This is chapter 40 assumed to be the beginning of the second part of Isaiah where the setting moves from warning the people of the comingContinue reading “02.01.21 – 02.07.21”
01.25.21 – 01.31.21
Readings Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Psalm 111 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Mark 1:21-28 Context/Insight Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Context – This passage was, for the first century Jews and Christians, the basis for their looking for The promised prophet, deliver, Messiah. It refers back to the time at Mount Horeb/Sinai when the people proclaimed that they wanted Moses to beContinue reading “01.25.21 – 01.31.21”
01.18.21 – 01.24.21
Readings Jonah 3:1-5, 10 • Psalm 62:5-12 • 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 • Mark 1:14-20 Context Jonah 3:1-10 Context: We usually assign the story of Jonah as being just a story about Jonah and his disdain for the people of Ninevah. However, the story of Jonahhas so many layers to it. It is definitely important to understand Jonah and his attitude. HeContinue reading “01.18.21 – 01.24.21”
01.11.21 – 01.17.21
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”
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”
Order, Words, & Voices 