It was a doughnut kind of day!  Aiden agrees. Krispy Kreme is best.

Mark 9:1-9

Verse one states that some of those with Jesus would not taste death until they saw the Kingdom of God come with power. Critics have mistakenly thought that this was an error, for they say that all those who were with Jesus died and the Kingdom has not come. So they think that the Bible has an error. Actually, verse one refers to the events of verses two through nine. On the mountain Jesus was transfigured. He was seen as he is in his own Kingdom. Moses and Elijah, long departed, appeared alive, as they are in glory, and gave honor to Jesus. Jesus was not only the completion of their labors, but their Lord and King. The light on Jesus' face is the light of heaven. God is light...not reflected light, but self-generating light. That brightness was like the morning sun on a summer day reflecting on highly polished metal. It was a glorious foretaste of the Kingdom. This passage in Mark brings that glory to our sight. You may taste and see that the Lord is good. (And note that Moses finally made it into the Promised Land.) 

Blessings,

Bill 

 The Red Bud in our front yard...up close.

Luke 19:1-10

Jericho was a very wealthy city, a garden spot. Palm and Balsam grew in abundance. The city also commanded the crossings of the Jordan, so there was much traffic on the Jericho road. It was a good place to be a tax collector. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, a leader, one of the "best." The problem was that Zacchaeus was not content. He lived amid garden splendor, but his interior life was like a desert. Wealth could not provide him with what he needed most. So, when Jesus passed through Zacchaeus went way out of his way to see him. Climbing a tree, going out on a limb, he found himself looking into the face of the Christ. An amazing thing happened then. Jesus said that he would go to the house of Zacchaeus that very day. No one expected that. Tax collectors were shunned as collaborators. Jesus went out of his way that day to seek and save that son of Abraham. The result of his caring for people was new life for many, including the chief of tax collectors.

Blessings, 

Bill

Cards won their home opener.  A joy to see.  Molina put them ahead for keeps.

Luke 18:35-43

Pilgrims filled the road to Jerusalem. As they walked out of the ancient city of Jericho the procession stopped. Jesus halted the movement of pilgrims going to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. A beggar was crying at the side of the road. It is remarkable that Jesus heard the voice of one crying. It is wonderful that he would stop the whole parade to help one person. All the travelers to the holy city stopped, and listened, and beheld the bringing of light to eyes held long in the ever enduring dark. He knew what he wanted. He called Jesus a fellow Jew, a son of David. He called him Lord. He followed Jesus in the road and praised God. It was a glorious day... blue skies overhead, a warm breeze blowing, dust from many feet filling the air, and a blind man seeing. Many people with sight could not see what Jesus was doing, who he was, but that blind man would see it forever.

Light and Warmth,

Bill

Bible ideas

Luke 16:19-31

There are interesting details in this story. The rich man was exceedingly rich, as shown by the use of purple dye...an extremely expensive commodity. His clothing was purple and "fine" linen. The poor man was extremely poor, as shown by the dogs showing pity on him, licking his wounds. Other details include the description of hell, the fact that Abraham was alive in heaven, and the great gulf in between. This is a story of interesting details, but there is a great appeal given in the middle of it. The great plea is to "remember." Remember your life. Remember what you were and what you did. Remember your attitude to others in need. It is a strong word, calling us to see our own lives clearly, while we may. "Does any human being realize life while they are living it?" was Emily's question in the play "Our Town." It is difficult to live our everyday lives and find space to reflect upon what we are and what we are doing. But the opportunity is there if we will seize it. Church is a place for that kind of remembering. Think about it. 

Blessings, 

Bill

Cardinals won their first series of the year.  Many more ahead.

Luke 16:1-8

This is the story of a rascal, an employee who wasted his owner’s goods. After some time he was found out and called in, given notice, and was told to clean out his office. While he was in the process he tried to endear himself to other rascals by reducing their debts to his own boss. When the owner discovered this he complimented the shrewdness of the wicked employee and, incidentally, revealed his own wicked character. The point of this story is not found in "likeness," but in "unlikeness." It is a story of opposites. God is not like a wicked owner. God is the opposite of such a person. If an evil old boss can approve what a rascally employee does, how much more will a loving God approve those who live faithfully. God will not forget the least faithfulness. Our little deeds of love and encouragement will not be forgotten. Evil unnoticed will be found out and ultimately punished. Good not seen will eventually be rewarded.

Blessings, 

Bill