The House You're Building

[19] Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, [20] by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. [26] For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, [27] but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. [28] Anyone who has set asi...

  Introduction:   I have two children and raising them into their teens has taken two different approaches.  My son is pretty straight forward.  He is a logical young man and it’s always been rational conversation that has helped him see the light.  My daughter on the other hand is all heart.  She fires up quickly and needs time to process her emotions before having a conversation where she can admit to wrongdoing.  Though I did my best to treat them the same, their response to my authority had two different outcomes.     In this section of Exodus, we see God the Father begin to parent His children.  He begins His rescue mission by showing His power to the Israelites.  We see two different responses to His displays of power.  In beholding the majesty of God, the Hebrews begin to trust in God and Pharaoh becomes more and more stubborn and determined to rebel.  Despite their ...

        Orient  John 8:12-30 If you’ve been following us each installment of the John series, you might wonder if I missed posting the first 11 verses of chapter 8.  The missing passage, commonly known as the woman caught in adulty, is not found in the earliest manuscripts and thus won’t be included in my walk-through John.  Though it does not contradict Scripture, in my view this section of scripture isn’t considered sacred text according to the process of textual criticism that makes me trust the Bible.  That sets the stage for the setting of the passage we are considering.  If the story of the woman was added later, it is likely assumed that Jesus is still teaching at the Festival of Booths.  What follows is a conflict story with the Pharisees, as they question Jesus.  As you read, themes from chapter 5 will be familiar: witness and judgment.     Introduction Every morning when I get u...

        Orient  John 7:1-52 After the Passover and the feeding of the 5,000, time passes and another Jewish festival is held, the Feast of Booths.  Jesus initially goes privately then openly teaches in the temple.  Escalating conflict with the Jewish leaders arises, especially after He declares, during the water drawing ceremony, that He is the living water.  The Pharisees finally take steps to arrest Him but the offers tasked with this mission fail to do so, as they are amazed by His words.  As we’ve come to expect in this greater section within the book of John, his words are often misunderstood and the miracles He performs are debated among the people as proof of his identity as Messiah.     Introduction Between high school and college, I did some traveling through Europe.  Growing up in a small town, I was amazed to be at places I’d only read about in books like the Colosseum, the Eifel Tower, ...