My Faith View from Here - Daily readings and thoughts

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) Deuteronomy 2:22-3:29, Psalm 99, Jeremiah 14:1-12, Luke 24:13-35 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%202%3A22-3%3A29%2C%20Psalm%2099%2C%20Jeremiah%2014%3A1-12%2C%20Luke%2024%3A13-35&version=NASB1995 Blind “We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.”  As the two followers of Jesus were walking toward Emmaus, Jesus had joined them but they were unaware because “their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.”  They were blind to Jesus’ presence with them.   For those who are new to the Bible, there are 2 main sections of the Bible, the Old Testament and the New Testament.  Growing up surrounded by the church and hearing Bible stories at home and at church, I knew the importance of the New Testament, particularly the gospel of John.  I memorized Bible verses and the first verse I memorized was John 3:16.  I always wondered why we read the Old Testament.  It had some great ...

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) Deuteronomy 2:1-3:6, Psalm 98, Jeremiah 13:12-27, Luke 23:50-24:12 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%202%3A1-3%3A6%2C%20Psalm%2098%2C%20Jeremiah%2013%3A12-27%2C%20Luke%2023%3A50-24%3A12&version=NASB1995 A Different Type of Alive “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?”  That’s what the angels said when the women brought burial spices to Jesus’ grave. Peter got it!  When he found out, he ran to the tomb and recognizing Jesus was not there, went to his home “marvelling at what had happened.”  That’s Peter; the one who denied Jesus 2 days earlier, recognizing Jesus was true to His word and was alive once more.  Peter was always the first to open his mouth but this time, he simply marvelled. In many ways we can say a person lost in their own independence away from God is dead.  Let me explain.  If Jesus’ resurrection represents life to all humankind, then not responding to Jesus pulling a...

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) Deuteronomy 1, Psalm 97, Jeremiah 13:1-11, Luke 23:26-49 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%201%2C%20Psalm%2097%2C%20Jeremiah%2013%3A1-11%2C%20Luke%2023%3A26-49&version=NASB1995 The Long Plan “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”  Those are the words used to mock Jesus on the cross.  Jesus was crucified on a Roman cross and died because there was a longer plan at play.  He knew that He needed to sacrifice His life if He was to defeat death and complete the long plan.  So what did Jesus do?  Nothing!  He let death happen.  Meanwhile, the soldiers mocked Him and the Jewish rulers sneered saying “He saved others; let Him come down and save Himself if this is Christ of God, His chosen One.”  Even one of the other prisoners that was being executed hurled abuse at Him. The other prisoner, however, appealed to Jesus as they were both in their final hours.  His words were “Jesus...

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) Numbers 35:6-36:13, Psalm 96, Luke 23:1-25 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2035%3A6-36%3A13%2C%20Psalm%2096%2C%20Luke%2023%3A1-25&version=NASB1995 Finding Your Refuge What is your city of refuge?  As we read in Numbers today, the cities of refuge were places “that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee.”  I’ve never killed a person intentionally or unintentionally but I still need a place of refuge. What do we need refuge from?  I need refuge from myself at times.  My need to control and my need to be right but more than that, my selfish goal to control my own life and destiny.  The famous song sung by Frank Sinatra, “I Did it My Way” sounds like great lyrics to sing but when you really read the lyrics at the end of the song it’s actually a sad statement. “For what is a man what has he got If not himself then he has not To say the things he truly feels And not the words of one who kneels The...

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) Numbers 34:1-35:5, Psalm 95, Jeremiah 12:7-17, Luke 22:39-71 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2034%3A1-35%3A5%2C%20Psalm%2095%2C%20Jeremiah%2012%3A7-17%2C%20Luke%2022%3A39-71&version=NASB1995 More Than Paint Chips “Your youth group is damaging the walls in the new board room!”  Those were the words from one of the board members in the Beaverton church where we worked.  It is sad to realize that the board members were seeing paint chips but Syl and I were seeing lives changed.  (We suspect it was some of the more slouchy board members who were backing into the walls and not our youth!) I was hired in a full time pastoral role, in charge of youth and Sunday worship.  We immediately started an afternoon drop in centre for youth ages 10 and up but we recognized a huge need for the high school youth in our town.  Our town was notorious for teenage drug/alcohol abuse and teenage pregnancies.  In the inter...

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) Numbers 33, Psalm 94, Jeremiah 11:18-12:6, Luke 22:14-38 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2033%2C%20Psalm%2094%2C%20Jeremiah%2011%3A18-12%3A6%2C%20Luke%2022%3A14-38&version=NASB1995 Why Do They Prosper? Why do the wicked prosper?  Jeremiah's actual questions are, “Why has the way of the wicked prospered?  Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?” and an observation that, “You are near to their lips but far from their mind.”  I suspect after reading these questions and observation you also have people who come to mind.   We have great internet here in my area of Nova Scotia.  Up until a month ago, we only had one option for the provider but it was fibre internet right to our house.  It is lightning fast…except when it’s not working!  It goes down when you are just to the point of dependency…then it’s out.  It seldom is related to weather but is more often related to those who a...

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) Numbers 32, Psalm 93, Jeremiah 11:1-17, Luke 21:25-22:13 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2032%2C%20Psalm%2093%2C%20Jeremiah%2011%3A1-17%2C%20Luke%2021%3A25-22%3A13&version=NASB1995 Prepared, Not Panicked “Be on Guard” is Jesus warning as we wait for Jesus’ return. I’ve mentioned the issues I had with my truck and how God provided a repair shop to repair the truck at a reasonable cost rather than replace it.  We have an RV for camping and it’s one of the more cost effective ways to vacation.  It’s not a huge RV but it’s big enough for us when we go camping.  Last week, we took it in to be serviced.  It’s an older trailer so it was due for some service work.  Last Friday we got a call that there are 2 other serious issues that need to be addressed.  These were critical issues so it was a “no brainer” to say go ahead and fix them.  We knew this would add to the cost but was important.  Yeste...

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) Numbers 31:25-54, Psalm 92, Jeremiah 10:11-25, Luke 21:1-24 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2031%3A25-54%2C%20Psalm%2092%2C%20Jeremiah%2010%3A11-25%2C%20Luke%2021%3A1-24&version=NASB1995 Peace in Uncertain Times “Every man is stupid, devoid of knowledge!”  The NIV translation says it much more eloquently; “ Everyone is senseless and without knowledge”  God’s words through Jeremiah are referring to idols made with hands.   He starts by explaining the vastness of God “who made earth by power” and “established the world by His wisdom.”  In comparison, “every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols,” “they are deceitful,” “there is no breath in them,” “they are worthless, a work of mockery.”  In some places idols are worshiped.  Some are literal idols that represent a god but sometimes it’s not a literal idol. I’ve asked this before and I’ll ask it again.  What takes prominence over God?  Thes...

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year) Numbers 30:1-31:24, Psalm 91, Jeremiah 9:23-10:10, Luke 20:19-47 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2030%3A1-31%3A24%2C%20Psalm%2091%2C%20Jeremiah%209%3A23-10%3A10%2C%20Luke%2020%3A19-47&version=NASB1995 Love not Power Beware of the religious leaders, who like to walk around in expensive suits, and love respectful greetings in the world, and lead mega churches and sit at the head table at banquets and prayer breakfasts, who take the homes of widows’, who give sacrificially to their causes, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. I took the liberty of rewriting Luke 20:46,47 and changed the wording to a more current representation of current North America.  Not all leaders of mega churches fit that category; not all who lead prayer breakfasts fit that category; not all wear expensive suits; and some do look after the widows.  The point I’d like to suggest is that many religious leaders are in it for their own person...