tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47649831537760509962012-02-16T18:38:40.688-07:00"Believe At Last" comes from John 16:31, when Jesus finally sees faith in his disciples. Faith is "being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see." (Heb 11:1) In this place we want to develop our faith -- believing in our hope in Jesus -- and let it change our lives.Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger631100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-5492298067240157592008-08-07T06:38:00.002-07:002008-08-07T07:06:52.988-07:00

Today's passage: Luke 11:33-36It starts off fairly simply: when you have a light in a dark room, you display it so everyone can see; you don't cover it up and hide the light. If the light is on a stand and not hidden, the room is filled with light.Then Jesus compares our bodies with the room, and our eye as the lamp. If our eyes are good, our bodies will be like the room filled with light. If

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-58371085978999170642008-07-30T07:11:00.003-07:002008-07-30T07:38:56.677-07:00

Luke 11:29-32Anyone out there ever been skeptical? Not believed because something wasn't what you thought it would be, or was too inconvenient or uncomfortable to consider?This generation wasn't willing to humble themselves in order to believe. Do you see how belief requires humility? It requires submitting yourself to whatever it takes to know the Truth. Wanting it so badly, you'd risk

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-45903255222181940232008-07-17T08:34:00.003-07:002008-07-17T09:34:51.176-07:00

In today's passage Jesus drives out another demon, then gives us a lesson on how this spiritual realm works. First of all, it sounds like casting out demons wasn't that uncommon, as Jesus speaks of their followers doing so. Even in our age of medical knowledge and technology, we need to know that there are still other evil spirit beings at work. For example, one may not physically stop you

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-64604357647489155562008-07-10T06:08:00.004-07:002008-07-10T07:46:26.902-07:00

After Jesus gives us a prayer to pray, he further explains what prayer is.First, let's look at Jesus' parable. What is the man's situation who is doing the asking? What is he asking for? There are reasons Jesus uses this specific illustration, and not any other. None of his words are ever wasted.The man is making a request on behalf of a friend. He wants his friend's needs to be met and to

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-83028347430669411012008-07-09T06:30:00.003-07:002008-07-09T07:03:58.904-07:00

Oh, I am bursting with words to tell you. Will you sit with me awhile on today's passage? I'll try not to make it too long...How thankful I am that Jesus shares with us what prayer looks like, and how it works. I am only beginning to know the power and wonder that prayer holds. Any time spent in prayer, whether 5 minutes or an hour, or two!, yields great and wonderful things we will never

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-13008745699876026282008-07-07T07:06:00.002-07:002008-07-07T07:37:17.836-07:00

Martha, Martha..."Simplify" is a hot buzz word lately in our culture. How easy it is to get caught up and tied down by so much... stuff. But we're not necessarily meant to live a monk's life (who can also fall in the same trap as Martha).Look at the words used to describe Martha: distracted, worried, and upset. Martha didn't necessarily have too much stuff in her life, but she certainly had

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-17460726437167775402008-06-30T07:07:00.005-07:002008-06-30T07:54:35.815-07:00

Luke 10:25-37. It's a familiar story; one most of us know and can even repeat. God, give us a new perspective; teach us something new in this simple story.What a good story... do you see the patience of Jesus? He was being confronted by a prideful intellectual who wanted to test Jesus and justify himself. (Once again I see myself.) Jesus even gives him the opportunity to answer his own

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-85622115453845224772008-06-27T06:39:00.003-07:002008-06-27T07:59:43.312-07:00

Today's reading is Luke 10:1-24.It's a good thing this place forces me to comment and ask questions about each passage we encounter through our reading because, frankly, there are many that I'd just assume to skip over. Yet those are probably the ones I need to wrestle with the most... like today's passage.Is anyone else bothered by the disconnect between our modern Christian lives and the

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-62249371912319534442008-06-23T07:25:00.002-07:002008-06-23T07:58:49.302-07:00

Today's reading is Luke 9:57-62. Jesus confronts three men who are faced with the opportunity to follow Jesus. My question for you is, what does it mean to follow Jesus? What did it mean to these men? And what does it mean to us? Is it any different? Please honestly answer this question for yourself, whether or not you share it here...Meanwhile, I'll share with you my own version of this

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-89754305775801172412008-06-18T06:09:00.003-07:002008-06-18T06:45:44.053-07:00

Luke 9:51-56There's a part of the passage that is in the footnotes of my Bible, since it only occurs in "some manuscripts." Some parts of the Bible have this kind of asterisk. One large one is the story of the woman about to be stoned for adultery, and Jesus makes the "He who is without sin, cast the first stone" statement. It's interesting that today's asterisked passage also has to do with

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-28782089161591924262008-06-11T06:29:00.002-07:002008-06-11T06:53:23.933-07:00

Luke 9:46-50"An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts..."Obviously we're seeing a lack of humility in the disciples here. Nothing new, really. It's a common thread that runs through humanity, and God has had to deal with us thinking too much of ourselves too many times. But instead of a typical "Don't be proud, be humble"

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-71569647716616785292008-06-04T07:33:00.002-07:002008-06-04T07:50:25.368-07:00

I'm going to deviate slightly from the typical format here today...Today's story has significant meaning for me because I know a child who is in similar circumstances, not always physically, but emotionally and mentally. Her parents have literally been at their wits end, and have gotten desperate many times over. This child needs Jesus' healing, and so many people have prayed for it to come. I

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-44846062891180733382008-06-02T08:19:00.002-07:002008-06-02T08:25:02.338-07:00

I wasn't sure what to say about our passage today, Luke 9:28-36.Then I realized it was right there in black and white: "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him."I almost did what Peter did... I felt like I had to say or do something to add to the experience, when really, all we need to do is Listen to Jesus.Try keeping that command at the front of your mind today... then tell us what He

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-14384417580011368522008-05-28T06:52:00.002-07:002008-05-28T07:21:45.844-07:00

The other day, Ryan and I decided our marriage needed a mission statement. This may sound weird and nerdy, but actually, it can been a very good thing. Whenever we have big (or small) decisions to make, we can look at them in light of our mission statement, and it will help us to see the bigger picture and remind us of our goals in this life.Anyway, as we discussed what our goals in this life

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-52366428111584493502008-05-23T06:00:00.003-07:002008-05-23T06:48:00.156-07:00

Imagine hearing these words the first time Jesus spoke them: "If anyone would come after me, he must..."Oh! Good! He's giving us directions on how to be a Christian! He's going to spell it out! How many times have I wanted clear-cut instructions on how to live... "...deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."Oh. Wow. That's not quite what I expected... So you are saying each

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-26452660870358149892008-05-22T06:51:00.002-07:002008-05-22T07:12:57.598-07:00

Something I've always puzzled about is when Jesus warns people not to talk or tell others about things that He's done or who He is. Why? Don't we need to share Him with others? So I think I got the answer in today's reading..."Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, 'The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and teachers

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-8949042695687422552008-05-21T06:13:00.002-07:002008-05-21T06:47:32.642-07:00

If anyone's been keeping up with reading through Luke, you may be further than this, but I'm now in chapter 9... sorry about not posting anything -- no internet access for over a week now.Here's some of the highlights for me from the last few chapters:Blessings and WoesIt is comforting to know that having needs (being poor, hungry, sad -- not necessarily because of physical needs) is a good thing

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-26320273761076660372008-04-29T06:41:00.003-07:002008-04-29T07:48:05.462-07:00

Luke 6:17-26All these people -- I'm picturing thousands -- crowding around Jesus, hungry to hear him, and just to touch him. What happened to them when Jesus became the prey of the Pharisees? Why did they stop being hungry for him? What changed?Then we have Jesus' first recorded sermon in Luke. He talks about perspective. The Now versus the Later. About experiencing need, but still being

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-6248225306445853102008-04-23T08:25:00.006-07:002008-04-25T10:04:39.344-07:00

Today's passage is Luke 6:1-16.Jesus has now healed many, and is known throughout the region for his healing. The most recent was in front of a delegation of Pharisees and Law teachers. As He is teaching these devout followers of Moses' law, a sick man is forced into the room, and Jesus tells the sick man his sins are forgiven. In front of all these spiritual leaders. Blasphemy! No one can

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-9101256963091274902008-04-18T11:26:00.002-07:002008-04-18T11:35:54.961-07:00

I'm sorry that all this moving has kept me from posting anything. Hopefully some of you are still out there! We've got one or two more passages left in chapter 5, so let's read those for today's (or this weekend's) reading. We have the calling of Levi, verses 27-32, and some questions from the Pharisees, verses 33-39.I still haven't answered the last question for myself, and may spend some

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-33011341751956245302008-03-28T08:31:00.002-07:002008-03-28T08:36:08.390-07:00

Today let's read Luke 5:12-26.I've got a question for you to ponder, and ask God about... Why did Jesus heal and cast out demons? It was obviously a major part of His ministry, and we've now read about 5 different stories of healing and spiritual freedom. Look closely at each one and pray that God will show you why He performed those miracles.

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-57135702070804574832008-03-27T09:15:00.002-07:002008-03-27T09:23:23.564-07:00

Today we'll read chapter 5:1-11. You'll discover how Jesus called his first disciples. I love this story. I actually did a post on it a few months ago, but God's Word is deep. Please share with us the other things God reveals to you.

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-35282097060147572782008-03-26T11:30:00.002-07:002008-03-26T11:35:02.566-07:00

Today's passage is Luke 4:38-44.Please forgive me for not keeping up with the posting... I'm just struggling a little bit lately. I promise to do better from now on, with your help and prayers! Thanks for staying loyal, even when I haven't set a good example.Pray for God to teach us more about how Jesus can and does minister to our needs...

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-44136827800462022342008-03-20T09:32:00.002-07:002008-03-20T09:36:32.962-07:00

Today's reading is Luke 4:31-37. What does the Holy Spirit want to teach you? Ask Him.Keep adding your comments to past posts... don't feel the need to skip any. What's great about this format is you can go at your own pace, if needed. But hopefully the more you read, the more you'll be hungry for His word every day!

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-14443838338084013662008-03-19T13:10:00.003-07:002008-03-19T13:24:04.279-07:00

Love hearing your thoughts! Hope you all are finding great power in your heart-felt searches of the scripture...Today's reading is Luke 4:14-30. Pray for wisdom.I apologize for not posting this yesterday. But maybe you didn't wait for me and have already read through it. And now is your chance to leave your comments!

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-20243137233017325482008-03-17T11:26:00.002-07:002008-03-17T11:31:43.866-07:00

I'm going to try something different this week... I'd like us to read a passage each day, and then post ANY thoughts or questions you have regarding that particular reading. If you don't get to it today, that's fine, but just post comments when you do read it.I guess I'm just hungry to hear what God is telling all of you through these scriptures. Don't worry, I'll be posting my own comments

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-27161875293599760352008-03-14T07:41:00.004-07:002008-03-14T08:08:57.784-07:00

I thought of another question yesterday that I thought would be good to discuss...John specifically described an important quality of the fruit: the fruit was "in keeping with repentance."What does that mean to you?ps. In the last post, Tracy asked about the verse where he talks about cutting down the trees that don't produce fruit. Do you think it is similar to this passage in Matthew?I think

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-49509820997483611512008-03-13T10:59:00.003-07:002008-03-13T11:35:55.073-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted anything for a few days... I got kind of stuck on the last part of chapter 2. If any of you have any thoughts on that passage, please leave some comments. Maybe that's what I should do when I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere. Next time I get stuck, I'll see if God is revealing something to you guys instead!But moving on to chapter 3, we see the beginning of John the

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-6847487940557616842008-03-06T08:00:00.004-07:002008-03-06T08:53:20.173-07:00

What an emotional day for Joseph and Mary. What hope they must have had in imagining how Jesus would fulfill his destiny. I'm not a parent, but I've heard and can easily imagine how parents dream for their children, and how much greater Mary and Joseph's dreams must have been for Jesus!They probably didn't have a clue that the tradition they were following: an atonement sacrifice, consecrating

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-64752769369782692392008-03-04T07:04:00.003-07:002008-03-04T07:14:49.529-07:00

If angels are anything like humans, I imagine they were bursting with excitement over what God had just done. In just one moment, the earthlings were now hosting Heaven's Greatest! In the flesh! They would get to have Him and have access to God the Father through Him! What a gift! What a treasure! We've got to tell everyone!So God told them they could give the news to one small group of

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-66845340502157919362008-03-03T07:21:00.002-07:002008-03-03T07:47:24.802-07:00

I think I've heard before that historians say Jesus' birth probably took place in the spring. We only celebrate it in December because of other holiday traditions. So I think it's kind of cool to be reading about the Christmas story at the time of year that it may have occurred.Anyway, God choose probably the most stressful time of Joseph and Mary's life for Jesus to be born: away from home, in

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-72239400272985614772008-02-29T08:01:00.004-07:002008-02-29T08:34:23.861-07:00

He kind of gets a bum rap. After all, he was the one that didn't believe Gabriel at first. But I was reading Abraham's reaction when God told him that he would possess all the land in Canaan, and Abraham asked the same thing: "How can I be sure?"So because of Zechariah's unbelief, he can't talk for about a year. I'm sure it was a constant struggle. He had to learn new ways of communicating

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-59065604707602046452008-02-28T06:42:00.005-07:002008-02-28T08:00:29.652-07:00

Lately I've heard more comments about that big gap between the last Old Testament book (Malachi, written by a prophet after Israel returned home from exile) and the arrival of John the Baptist on the scene, FOUR HUNDRED YEARS LATER. "What was God doing during all that time?" "Was He speaking to His people?" "Why did He wait so long?"I've also heard that Israel was constantly keeping their eyes

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-10078551464863240982008-02-26T07:15:00.001-07:002008-02-26T07:18:18.746-07:00

Can we just sit on this truth for a moment? A lifetime?Do you believe this?Do you act like you do?What has God said to you that sounded impossible? Believe it now...

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-75143889990188497942008-02-25T07:06:00.003-07:002008-02-25T07:38:41.397-07:00

Zechariah: "How can I be sure of this?"Mary: "How will this be?"I can't even imagine what it was like, standing in front of Gabriel, hearing the awesome news he had brought from God. Hind sight ruins the drama for us... we've read the end of the story, so -- lets be honest here -- the weirdness of these messages from God doesn't shock us. NO ONE imagined it happening this way... an old and

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-19989061888731693502008-02-22T08:53:00.005-07:002008-02-22T09:34:02.125-07:00

I was struck by this phrase as I read about Zechariah. Earlier we saw how his life was all about following God. Then, one day, God orchestrated all the details so He could get Zechariah alone to talk to him, and set some major parts of his plan in motion.Sometimes I'm afraid I'm going to miss God's plan...When you are waiting for God to do something in your life, do you anxiously check under

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-11115789341280977912008-02-20T09:32:00.003-07:002008-02-20T10:04:57.340-07:00

Whoa, I didn't realize the first chapter was 80 verses long! We may take two weeks on this one, since we got a late start anyway.I love that in this book, we have the story of Jesus' life that was investigated fully and compiled in an orderly and complete fashion. And as Luke put it, his investigations were so that we could be certain of the things we have been taught about Jesus. Luke is

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-62978730865078097442008-02-19T09:19:00.002-07:002008-02-19T09:36:11.726-07:00

Good morning, friends!Thank you so much for reading through 1 Peter with me. It proved to be more inspiring, challenging, and humbling than I first thought, which is good. I don't know why I am surprised by all the ways God meets us through his word, but it always comes new and fresh and holds great promises and guidance for us, even when we don't expect it.So now we must start a new book, and

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-42109854819267506592008-02-13T09:04:00.004-07:002008-02-13T11:57:42.467-07:00

1 Peter 5If some of you know me well, you'll know that one of my all-time life-changing verses speaks about being humble, and how that has rocked my world many times over. I'm telling you (and myself) right now that if you want God to move in you and in your life, seek humility... get down on the floor, flat on your face, and humble yourself before God."God opposes the proud..." Ever thought

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-26617828519722885592008-02-07T10:00:00.000-07:002008-02-07T12:46:45.474-07:00

I apologize for not writing anything here during the last week. I admit, I've been sort of avoiding it. The passage that was up next didn't feel like it spoke to me and I wasn't sure what to write or say or ask you. Of course, I knew that God's Word can always speak to us, no matter what our circumstances may be. But I just felt a little removed from once again reading about suffering for

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-55130545525751931712008-01-31T07:53:00.000-07:002008-01-31T08:39:42.179-07:00

1 Peter 4:8-11"Love each other deeply..."Jesus said loving -- loving God and others -- is the greatest command God gives us. But He wouldn't have to command it if love came naturally to us. So there must be things that keep us from loving.Sometimes there's a struggle to show love when we don't want to..."... love covers a multitude of sins." Even if someone has hurt you or done something

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-79249799855057880982008-01-29T08:46:00.000-07:002008-01-29T09:26:03.777-07:00

You may have heard that prayer is our lifeline to God. Or that it's the most important thing we can do as believers. You've probably felt or seen it's real-life affects. We are driven to it in desperate moments, even those who don't fully believe. And yet, I don't depend on it enough. Sometimes I just take for granted that God knows what I need (even before I ask, right?). But there is

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-27672068140006360992008-01-28T08:07:00.000-07:002008-01-28T10:03:39.955-07:00

I'm struggling with how to understand this passage for a couple of reasons...The first is that I fear when one reads "he who has suffered in his body is done with sin," one might picture the albino monk from the Davinci Code, or performing some kind of painful penance. But this whole passage is about suffering for doing good. And that's what Jesus did. It was by doing the ultimate good that

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-76950923288529004402008-01-24T08:51:00.000-07:002008-01-24T09:14:13.394-07:00

I don't know about you guys, but I don't think I can say I've suffered much for doing good. Life has been pretty easy for me, and I don't feel like I can relate to some of what Peter has been saying. But there are many, many Christians who can relate, and probably count these passages as precious promises that keep them going. If you want to read their stories, you can find some of them on The

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-75154792773411029362008-01-16T08:24:00.000-07:002008-01-16T08:38:24.433-07:00

Ever heard that phrase before? Can you picture someone to whom it might apply? What is it that really makes someone attractive?In verses 3-6, Peter isn't necessarily condemning dressing up or having nice hair. Instead, he's discussing where a person's beauty comes from. Beauty that only comes from the outside appearance is shallow. Beauty that comes from your spirit, your inner self, is true

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-45563762999864920032008-01-15T06:02:00.000-07:002008-01-15T06:17:07.652-07:00

This week we read the third chapter in 1 Peter. He once again holds nothing back and starts us off with the sometimes sticky "husband and wife commandments." I know that a lot of my girlfriends out there have worked hard at the call to be submissive: struggling with it and defending God's purpose in it. The call to be submissive (to anyone, even our Heavenly Father) is never easily done, or

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-62077209602080922772008-01-11T07:33:00.000-07:002008-01-11T07:56:29.893-07:00

We saw last week that we are called to "be holy" (check out some of your definitions of what that means), and now this week we've read several instances where Peter talks about what we should do: "rid yourselves of...," "abstain from sinful desires," "Live such good lives," "doing good," and "if you suffer for doing good." Using specific verses from what we've read so far, can you sum up why we

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-29044621939459606142008-01-08T09:43:00.000-07:002008-01-09T09:23:00.416-07:00

Since we're not afraid of tackling the hard stuff, why don't we just go ahead and tackle a theological argument that has divided many Christians throughout the centuries (since Peter has brought it up twice now): Predestination vs Free Will. Read again 1 Peter 1:1-2, and 2:7-8. What is he saying here? To stir the pot even more, read Paul's comment on this very issue in Romans 9:7-33 (notice he

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-35992187693904152752008-01-08T08:56:00.000-07:002008-01-08T09:36:11.602-07:00

Peter uses the metaphor of a stone to represent Jesus, which is a metaphor that God used way before Peter came around, and so Peter quotes for us the first instances of this "stone metaphor". In Isaiah 8:14, God says Jesus will be like a stone that causes men to stumble and fall. But later on, in Isaiah 28:16, God says Jesus will also be a precious stone that is completely trustworthy. And

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-11061780646871014502008-01-07T07:55:00.001-07:002008-01-07T08:02:44.862-07:00

In verse 5 of chapter 2, Peter tells us that we are living stones (in reference to Christ, THE Living Stone) that are "being built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." So my question is, what is a spiritual sacrifice? Have you made any lately?

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-2019713123171896062008-01-02T07:39:00.001-07:002008-01-02T07:56:59.431-07:00

So I think I've figured out a system that will work here, and maybe it will fit in with your new year's resolutions (if one of them is to spend more dedicated time in the Bible, like one of mine is). We will continue reading about a chapter a week, but I will be posting (almost daily) a question from that chapter during the week, to get discussion and digestion going (we live, not on bread alone

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-71362060440373268352007-12-21T07:27:00.000-07:002007-12-21T07:50:31.283-07:00

Hopefully you've had a chance to read through the chapter this last week. I thought I would post some questions to get the discussion started... (for future chapters, I may try to have the questions ready at the beginning of the reading, so that there can be dialogue during the week, as we read). Think about these and answer them for yourself. Then I may put each one in a separate post so

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-32083860406331445052007-12-13T06:51:00.000-07:002007-12-13T06:57:42.803-07:00

Read it here online, or use your own Bible. It may be helpful to use a journal as well. Use it to pray, ask questions, and let God speak to you.

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-76468051143651343482007-12-13T06:14:00.000-07:002007-12-13T07:00:00.369-07:00

Based on the comments, I thought we could give a book of the Bible a try. I want to focus on one chapter a week, so you can really dig into it. Use whatever tools you want (commentaries, cross-references, etc.) to study it, but above all, pray before you read each and every time. “For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” God will give you understanding

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-70188080351627066422007-12-10T21:53:00.000-07:002007-12-10T22:10:00.503-07:00

I'm sorry there have been a lack of posts lately... I've been trying to figure out how to do this thing. It has mostly been a random access of scripture, and then my thoughts or inspirations from them, but I've been wondering about going through a particular book of the Bible with you, and then somehow opening up for discussion.What do you think? Do you like the format it's been, or would you

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-59659206105014422132007-12-03T07:30:00.000-07:002007-12-03T07:27:21.586-07:00

Luke 5:1-11Simon Peter and his coworkers had just spent all night desperately trying to catch fish, any fish, just one fish. They probably exhausted their repertoire of tricks and knowledge, skimming the lake from corner to corner, only to come up with bits of trash, sticks, and seaweed. And after being up all night, they had given up and were packing it in. They were probably wondering how

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-41565024037767845442007-11-30T06:19:00.000-07:002007-11-30T07:01:16.492-07:00

When I was teaching, there was an intriguing assignment I gave my students: they had to communicate the gospel message in a poster, and the only rule was they couldn't use any words. This wasn't to be a series of "step by step" instructions on how to be saved, but instead, using one image, symbolically show the gospel. I loved it. They hated it. It was tough, but I still carry in my head some

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-85971264668959165482007-11-29T08:29:00.000-07:002007-11-29T10:27:31.875-07:00

Psalm 107Are you feeling distressed?"Some wandered in desert wastelands...""Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom...""Some became fools... and suffered affliction...""Others... saw the works of the Lord... their courage melted away... they were at their wits' end."Which one are you?Sometimes we feel aimless, lost, needing direction and to be satisfied.Other times it's our own fault. We feel

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-22919630245721799122007-11-27T06:50:00.000-07:002007-11-27T06:50:50.521-07:00

As I've been discovering lately, anything good, anything worthy, anything right in our lives begins with God. Recalling Romans 5:8, God saved us before we even knew we needed Him. In Matthew 6:8, Jesus tells us God knows what we need before we ask. And James tells us everything good and perfect is from God.These truths are just part of God's glory.Do you need hope? You will find it when you

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-73868182226149601852007-11-26T19:52:00.000-07:002007-11-26T07:54:02.092-07:00

Now looking at the last key word (moving backwards) in Romans 5:2..."We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."Rejoicing involves joy... it's expressing the joy we have. And joy comes from a God-perspective of our lives. Paul has just been talking about the miracle of faith and how through the simple act of believing, we have peace with God (5:1). This peace, this relationship with God doesn't

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-38293468214668933472007-11-21T07:00:00.000-07:002007-11-21T06:54:18.341-07:00

(Even though there's another post today, I still want to hear your thoughts about God's glory!)Still working on Romans 5:2I suppose most humans have some kind of hope in their lives... in my own life, I've hoped in doctors to help me get better, in my husband and family to love and support me, and in a future where all are well and happy. If I didn't think these things would happen, what would

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-31045374841057474462007-11-20T08:30:00.000-07:002007-11-20T08:42:52.953-07:00

Romans 5:2"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."I was reading the larger passage this verse comes from and kept coming back to this little sentence at the end of verse two. Normally, it seems like a pretty easy verse to understand and say "yes, of course" to, but I didn't feel like I completely understood it... and it's not exactly a difficult statement. So do you mind if we take a

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4764983153776050996.post-76576774368749839652007-11-19T09:12:00.000-07:002007-11-19T09:51:37.645-07:00

Okay, this is just a test to see how things will work. I miss digging into the word with friends, and I am hoping this will prove to be just as encouraging as meeting face to face.Almost daily, I will try to post some scripture, and some thoughts and questions. But I want to hear from you too! I need to hear what God is revealing to you, as do others, so please don't let me be the only voice

Debbie Brownnoreply@blogger.com5