The House You're Building

[1] Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. [3] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, [4] having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.  Hebrews 1:1-4 One of my favorite people is a coworker.   I’ve been so lucky in my professional life to have to have people I can share life with.   They say adults usually make a lot of friends at work because adult friendships are more about proximity and it can take 200 hours spent together to make a consider someone a fried, so it makes a lot of sense that you will “go there” with coworkers as you often spend more time w...

  [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, [8] which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight [9] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. [11] In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the...

        Orient   John 5:1-29 This section begins the “festival cycle” of John.  Here we will find a narrative pattern of Jesus attending a Jewish festival and while there, his words or actions create building conflict with the Pharisees.  This is Jesus’s third sign of the 7 in this gospel that point to His authenticity and cause the readers to face who Jesus is.  In this exchange, we find Jesus claiming to be God as He is Lord of the Sabbath.  The focus is on the work He does and how it aligns with the character of His Father.  You will read about roles within the Trinity as well as the power of Jesus to give life.     Introduction If you grew up in a religious household, there were things that were “taboo.”  Public school, smoking, dancing, wearing pants, may have been an unspoken restriction.  It seems to be in our nature to add to God’s law.  People often prohi...