Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78-79 (read vv. 57-80)

INTRO: A day or two after our most recent grandson was added to the clan, I went to see him

When I asked the baby’s name, my son-in-law began to explain how he came up with “Indy”
– he got it from the movie character, Indiana Jones–only Sid didn’t care for “Indiana,” but he liked the nickname Indy
– my daughter, who was lying on her side gently stroking her fourth child, said with a sigh of resignation, “That was our deal. I got to name the girls and Sid got to name the boys.” Continue reading →

And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38

INTRO: On one of our trips to Russia, we walked through a park near the Kremlin in Moscow

Observing that the large metal sculptures reminded me of fairytales, I asked our translators whether the one closest to us was the story of the fish that begged for its life, promising to fulfill a wish for the man who caught it. The translators confirmed that it was what I had guessed and they were surprised to learn that I knew those same fairytales (I was surprised to learn how many fairytales have come to us from Russia). I recognized the sculptures because the familiar images belong to both cultures Continue reading →

[Zecharias] was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. Luke 1:9-10 (read verses 5-25)

INTRO: Last week, we stood in the threshold, now we cross it

No sooner do we enter the story than we’re swept into the temple–a place that was designed to create a sense of heaven on earth (Heb. 8:4-5; 9:23-24)
– it defined sacred space–a bridge on which heaven and earth meet
– a place of encounter Continue reading →

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4

INTRO: If there is a book you are thinking about buying, how do you look it over to make your decision?

When you begin a new book, do you turn to the first page and start reading?
– Barbara teases me for taking the time to break in the binding of each new book before I read it

Well, you can’t browse a rolled-up scroll, which is what the Gospel of Luke was written on
– therefore, the first line written on a scroll was very important
– it gave you enough information to form an idea of what would follow and to pique your interest Continue reading →

 And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child when I am so old?'”  Genesis 18:13 (1-15)

INTRO: As we step into the story and look around, where are we?

We are not far from Jerusalem, where spread out on a hillside we see a cluster of tents
(made from goat skins that have been sewn together)
– the homestead of an old man and woman with an empty nest
– in fact, that’s the hint of sorrow in the old lady’s eyes–their nest has always been empty
Their whole marriage she has suffered the stigma of being “barren” Continue reading →

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

INTRO: A few years ago, while channel-surfing I cam across a documentary and had to stop

A woman’s voice arrested my attention–which is unusual for me
(I usually switch channels until I hear squeeling tires, gunfire and explosions)
 – the woman was Maya Angelou and she was undoubtably the most eloquent speaker I had ever heard Continue reading →

Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Matthew 13:13 (Read 10-17)

INTRO: Of the two main candidates in this week’s elections, are you absolutely certain which one would make the best governor?

There are too many unknowns to reach absolute certainty, and we’ve had too many disappointments to be optimistic
– we have to do our research and then make our best guess Continue reading →

Yet they seek Me day by day and delight to know My ways,
As a nation that has done righteousness
And has not forsaken the ordinance of their God.
They ask Me for just decisions,
They delight in the nearness of their God. Isaiah 58

INTRO: We cannot read this prophetic poem without a sense of surprise, even shock

It describes Israel’s spiritual quest:

• to seek God
• to know his ways
• to enjoy his nearness Continue reading →

Esther

INTRO: The story (read it in a Children’s Bible if you don’t know it)

When we move closer into the story we start noticing various themes and sub-themes:

• “Royal” (throne, glory, wine, crown, position, etc.)
• The frequent drinking of wine and its role in affecting human emotions (merriment and rage)
• The way in which one character is played off another Continue reading →

And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that thsose who see may become blind.” Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say ‘We see,’ your sin remains.” John 9:39-41

INTRO: A few years ago, there was an exhibit of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings in Los Angeles

Imagine a person walking out of the gallery saying, “I don’t get it. What’s with all the swirls and wavy lines? His paintings just don’t look real.”
– at this point in history, such statements say more about the viewer than the artist Continue reading →