Matthew 13:31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of […]
Matthew 13:24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The […]
Chapel Worship Guide for Sunday 9 AM—July 7, 2013 The Nemmers Family Chapel at Advocate Condell Prelude Welcome—Barbara Shafer, Christ Church Highland Park Worship in Song Scripture Reading (Old Testament): “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face […]
Today is Independence Day, known to far too many Americans as July 4th. That’s the equivalent of calling Christmas December 25th, Valentine’s Day February 14th, or St. Patrick’s Day March 17th. It minimizes an event to a simple number on a calendar. Independence, indeed the larger concept of freedom, is important to God. The reasons […]
One of the most remarkable exchanges in the Bible is from a controversial passage. It is debated because it is missing from some of the earliest manuscripts of the Gospel of John. I’m glad those who compiled our Bibles included it because it’s so beautiful. John 8:1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 […]
I’ve been thinking on hypocrisy, forgiveness, and Paula Deen. Let me see if I have the situation right: Paula Deen swore to tell the truth in a deposition for a lawsuit. In her telling the truth, she admitted that she had used the “N word” at some point in her life. She told the truth, then […]
Forgiveness is one of the most lacking things in American culture. We—in our proud independence—do not want to believe that we must forgive others for their offenses against us. Grudges are easier than forgiveness. Many people will never apologize for the wrongs they’ve done to others. They’ll withhold remorse when remorse is due. They’d feel better for […]
