Readings for the next few days:
Monday, October 7: Matthew 13 – 14

Growing up on the shores of Lake Erie, I have always had a fascination with water. The soft voice of the rolling wave. The hush of the breeze. The roar of an angry storm, and the devastation and havoc it can leave behind. It is all impressive and humbling.

Because Lake Erie is so shallow (did you know it is the shallowest of the Great Lakes, and the only one who’s bottom is above sea level?) a little bit of wind can whip up a pretty big story in just a few short hours. Working on a ferry boat service in college, I can attest how ugly some of those were and how quick they came. No matter how good your “sea legs” some of them you still feel and will indeed make you a bit “green”

Even though most of the disciples were seasoned fishermem, they find themselves in a similar situation. The winds whip, the water roars, and they fear for their lives. To make matters worse, a ghost appears on the not so distant horizon. “It is the Lord!” Then you have to love Peter, “prove it” he essentially says, let me walk to you on the water. Here is the thing to remember, IT WORKS! Peter actually does walk on water. For a little bit anyways. As soon as he takes his eyes off of Christ, what happens? He sinks.

I found this great image to share, perhaps of Peter’s vantage point as he is sinking ever so quickly . . .

I found this pretty impressive. Just as Peter was pulled up out of the water, Jesus does the same for us. Reaching down into the depth of our own trials in order to restore us to wholeness. Where we can walk through the raging storm once again.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Readings for the next few days:
Tuesday, October 8: Matthew 15 – 17
Wednesday, October 9: Matthew 18 – 19
Thursday, October 10: Matthew 20 – 21
Friday, October 11: Matthew 22 – 23

Readings for the next few days:
Sunday, October 6: Matthew 11 – 12

The plot is beginning to thicken isn’t it? The Pharisees are getting frustrated. Neither Jesus nor his disciples follow the rules of the Sabbath. “How can this be, if he were indeed one from God?” The Pharisees must be asking themselves. And, what does it mean for us?

I guess we can think back 30 – 50 years ago or more, when Sunday was reserved for “church.” I’d have to think back pretty early in my childhood to remember when nothing was open on Sunday. It was a time for God. It was time for family. I can remember the constant plea that my sister and I had wanting to go to Perkins Pancakes after church every Sunday, but other than that it was day the family spent together.

Now, people skip church and go straight to the store. There is little respect for the Sabbath. Hence the decline in our “godless” society. “We’ve all got too much to do to bother with God”, some might say. Yet God still bothers to provide everything we need, and the Sabbath, is our chance to give back as best as we are able. An hour of praise and prayer, isn’t too much to ask . . . then with our eyes on God, we can go about our daily life.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Readings for the next few days:
Monday, October 7: Matthew 13 – 14
Tuesday, October 8: Matthew 15 – 17
Wednesday, October 9: Matthew 18 – 19
Thursday, October 10: Matthew 20 – 21

Readings for the next few days:
Saturday, October 5: Matthew 9 – 10

The world’s greatest sandwich. If you read Dagwood, you would know that he is always looking for the perfect sandwich. There has even been a commercial lately, that is asking, this “the perfect sandwich?” All while showing a young girl sitting between two bulldogs. Now you may love Dagwood, peanut butter cracker sandwiches, or sandwiches in general, however I would like to let you know that the most popular sandwich is right here in the 9th chapter of Matthew, and you probably didn’t even know it was a sandwich:

While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district.
(Matthew 9:18-26)

Did you enjoy the sandwich? We have probably all heard this story before. It’s included in the same manner in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. A leader has a daughter who is ill and he seeks Jesus’ help. Then, right in the middle of the request, Jesus encounters the hemorrhaging woman. The needs/request of the first part of the story are set aside, the bleeding woman is healed, then we get back to the conclusion of the first part of the story. This is why many refer to this as a “sandwich” story. It’s a great literary technique to help build suspense and draw the reading along from one part to the other. Pretty tasty isn’t it?

Well it gets better . . . think of how it must have been to be a part of the world’s greatest sandwich. The dead, find new life . . . The lame, are restore . . . indeed our God is good!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Readings for the next few days:
Sunday, October 6: Matthew 11 – 12
Monday, October 7: Matthew 13 – 14
Tuesday, October 8: Matthew 15 – 17
Wednesday, October 9: Matthew 18 – 19

Readings for:
Thursday, October 3: Matthew 5 – 6
Friday, October 4: Matthew 7 – 8

I wanted to wait and post so that we got all of Jesus’ longest teaching in Matthew, better know as the Sermon on the Mount. It is full of some great teachings:

• The Beatitudes
• Being the Salt of the Earth
• Being the Light of the World
• Forgiveness before approaching the altar
• Words on adultery, divorce, swearing, and loving our enemies
• How to pray
• The Lord’s Prayer
• Words on fasting, treasure, serving multiple masters, and how not to worry.

The list is long, and could go on. As we take in Jesus teaching moment, think of the crowds that gathered. Matthew tell us, “the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” (7:28b) This is profound! The crowds are gathering by the 1,000’s to hear Jesus preach and teach. Many are hoping for a sign or a miracle to be preformed, for that they or their loved one will be healed. All of this is unheard of for the time. Daily life was hard and demanding. There was little time to follow needlessly, yet something was different with Jesus. He had a great sense of love and devotion for the people, and a power unlike the world had seen.

How could this be? Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit! From his Baptism, he was empowered by God to go and do likewise. So to are we, for the same Spirit is given to us in our Baptism and we are empowered to take Jesus’ teaching and put them into action. It is a bold challenge that has been place in our hands! Yet with the Spirit’s guidance we can and are able to go and do likewise!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Readings for the next few days:
Saturday, October 5: Matthew 9 – 10
Sunday, October 6: Matthew 11 – 12
Monday, October 7: Matthew 13 – 14
Tuesday, October 8: Matthew 15 – 17

Readings for the next few days:
Wednesday, October 2: Matthew 1 – 4

“An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah,
the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
(Matthew 1:1)

With these words our reading through the New Testament begins. Thanks be to God we finally get some Jesus in our reading!

Over the past few weeks I’ve been teaching a conference wide study (Diakonia) on the New Testament. My mind is full of great bits of wisdom to share on the Gospels. Perhaps a little bit too much so, because I could write for pages on Matthew, just introducing the background of his story of Jesus. So here is some need to know information before we dig into today’s text:

• Matthew is not the first of the four gospels. Scholars used to think that Matthew was written first, but thanks to archaeological findings, and further study we now believe that Mark was first, with Mark being written around 70 C.E. (that stands for “Common Era” and is timed the same as “A.D.”) and Matthew being written around 80 – 90 C.E..
• Most believe that Matthew used Mark as a source, in fact nearly 600 verses of Matthew’s 1071 verses are the same as Mark.
• Another source that Matthew might have used is an unknown source called “Q”. There is no written proof of this document, however Matthew and Luke must have known the source because nearly 200 verses are shared between Matthew and Luke.
• Doing the math, that leaves around 300 verses of material that is unique to Matthew.
• Some of these unique stories include:
  • The Genealogy of Jesus from Abraham
  • Joseph’s version of Jesus birth
  • Stories of Peter walking on the water, being blessed, and paying the temple tax
  • Some parables
  • The death of Judas
  • Pilate washing his hands of Jesus’ death
  • And The Great Commission.

Good stuff, and I could bore you with more details, but that’s enough for now. On to the reading . . . .

“An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah,
the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
(Matthew 1:1)

Three sets of 14 generations are shared linking Jesus to Abraham. As we read there are some interesting individuals to take note of. Rahab (v.5) the prostitute who assisted the spies on there search into the promised land, and Uriah (v.7) not a direct descendant, but notable that Bathsheba isn’t mentioned, instead she’s left out and the husband that David had put on the front line to die is. Then of course, following the line of Kings, there are some real dozies in there . . . Ahaz, Manasseh . . . if Jesus can come out of a family tree like that, there is definite hope for you and me! Lastly, this is Joseph’s family tree, even though Jesus isn’t flesh and blood of Jesus. Joseph still matters, because it connects Jesus to the line of the Kings of Israel.

Then Jesus is born and told through a slightly less common Christmas story. There are no shepherds. There is no trip to Bethlehem. There are no angels, at least not as we think of the whole host of heaven being opened up on that starry night. Instead, we get one angel who visits Joseph three different times (What a blessing for Joseph! Can you name anyone else in scripture who sees that many angels? ) Three different messages, “your wife is with child,” “your child is in danger, flee to Egypt,” and “it’s safe to go back home.” To each of these heavenly commands, Joseph follows the will and direction of God. Then of course you get the Magi, with their very odd, yet precious gifts given to Jesus, and we ponder if we had a gift to give, what would it be?

From there we move quickly from baby Jesus, to his baptism, temptation, and the call of the first Disciples. If only, just for a day, to have seen, and been a part of the wonderful acts of God taking place through Christ. If only . . . gratefully we follow his words as we continue to read.

Looking forward to sharing more as we continue our journey!
Pastor Bailey

Readings for the next few days:
Thursday, October 3: Matthew 5 – 6
Friday, October 4: Matthew 7 – 8
Saturday, October 5: Matthew 9 – 10
Sunday, October 6: Matthew 11 – 12

Readings for the next few days:
Tuesday, October 1: Malachi

We made it to Day 274, and the completion of our journey through the Old Testament. For that I thought we deserved some fireworks!

What a journey! Some of it was quite painful, but we made it through all 39 books of the Old Testament. As many of the last books we’ve read, Malachi was definitely not a “happy ending.” Even as the people return from exile, rebuild the city walls, and rebuild the temple, sin quickly enters back into the story. The hope . . . Elijah will return.

Its too bad, that we don’t move from this to the Gospel of Luke where we encounter the birth of John the Baptist (whom some think was Elijah). It would have made for a nice fluid connection Old Testament to the New Testament. Instead we start with Matthew. Historically speaking, it should have been Mark, but I’ll explain all of that in the upcoming post. Either way, we end the Old Testament with a glimmer of hope . . . someone greater is coming.

Before we close, lets turn to thebibleproject.com and hear their take on Malachi.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Readings for the next few days:
Wednesday, October 2: Matthew 1 – 4
Thursday, October 3: Matthew 5 – 6
Friday, October 4: Matthew 7 – 8
Saturday, October 5: Matthew 9 – 10

Readings for the next few days:
Saturday, September 28: Haggai
Sunday, September 29: Zechariah 1 – 7
Monday, September 30: Zechariah 8 – 14

We are just a few days away from finishing up the Old Testament Readings for our Year of Scripture! Are you excited? I know I am!!

This weekend turned into a whirlwind. I knew it would be busy with John & Morgan’s wedding on Saturday. Congrats to them! With eight attendants down each side, you get the idea how big this wedding was. It was a wonderful blessing.

Needless to say, in the few minutes that I had at home between the wedding and the reception, the phone rang. I had literally just stretched out on the couch, and the hospital was letting me know it was urgent. It was! We lost a wonderful member of our congregation and choir, Chris English. It was sudden, and as hard as the medical staffed worked, there was little to be done. We pray for the family and all those in the hospital who had a hand at trying to save his life.

Two very different spectrum of ministry. Both demanding in their own way. So by the time I sat down to read these text each evening, I could hardly keep my eyes open. I honestly can’t say what thoughts were going through my head as I read each page, except “just keep reading.” So we’ll turn to our friends at thebibleproject.com for their summary. And know this, I look forward to some grace found in the New Testament!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Readings for the next few days:
Tuesday, October 1: Malachi
Wednesday, October 2: Matthew 1-4
Thursday, October 3: Matthew 5-6
Friday, October 4: Matthew 7-8

Readings for:
Wednesday, September 25: Micah
Thursday, September 26: Nahum
Friday, September 27: Habakkuk & Zephaniah

As we read through the minor prophets, remember each on has their time and place. Our friends at thebibleproject.com will help us better understand their voice and their message.

Now just a few other thoughts. . .

Everyone knows (or should) Micah 5:1-5 “But you O Bethlehem . . .” these are words that foretell the coming birth of Christ and are often read on Christmas Eve. Great words, no doubt. However, I do think we have to read on to Chapter 6:3-4

“O my people, what I Have done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me?
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery: and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.”

To that, I want to add, “Yet you have prepared a cross for your savior.” While Micah 5 speaks of birth, as I read chapter 6, I was transported to the darkness of Good Friday and the Solemn Reproaches that are recited in some traditions. These reproaches tell the story of Israel and our continued fall from grace. “What more could I have done for you . . . answer me?” God pleads. Our only answer, silence.

From birth, Jesus was destined for one thing. Death. And in that we receive new life.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Readings for the next few days:
Saturday, September 28: Haggai
Sunday, September 29: Zechariah 1 – 7
Monday, September 30: Zechariah 8 – 14
Tuesday, October 1: Malachi

Readings for:
Tuesday, September 24: Obadiah & Jonah

Well, Obadiah was sure short. I love the the Twibble by Jana Riess puts it:

“A one-chapter rant against the Edomites. “When will G get rid of them?
Say, did you hear we hate Edomites?” Yeah, we deduced that, thanks.”
(Pg. 199)

Then on to Jonah . . . We all know the story, big fish, reluctant prophet, “Repent” . . . Well I hope you know that one. As I was reading I was fast forwarding to Acts. There are some amazing parallels.

• Paul is from Tarshish. Jonah escapes on a ship to Tarshish.
• Paul gets shipwrecked. Jonah experiences the storm and is nearly shipwrecked.
• Both have a message message for people who are somewhat reluctant to hear it.

We’ll be reading Acts soon enough, its not quite as exciting as Jonah, but some amazing parallels. God’s call, takes you to some strange and mysterious places, and does some incredible things to you along the way!

Lastly, after these few quick reads lets hear from thebibleproject.com before we close our our night.

Peace,
Pastor Baile

Readings for the next few days:
Wednesday, September 25: Micah
Thursday, September 26: Nahum
Friday, September 27: Habakkuk & Zephaniah
Saturday, September 28: Haggai

Readings for:
Sunday, September 22: Amos 1 – 5
Monday, September 23: Amos 6 – 9

We made it to day 265! Which means we have only 100 days to go. We can do this!! Although I’ll admit this isn’t easy. I’ve taken on the additional challenge of teaching a Diakonia Class on the New Testament. I’d encourage you to check out: https://nwos-diakonia.weebly.com to see what Diakonia is all about. It’s good stuff, and I know several of my students are working on the Year of Scripture as well, and my additional reading assigements only add to that challenge.

Take for example, this week we are going to review Luke and Acts. So I’ve been busy reading both of those, several study guides, and Amos over the past few days. Talk about seeing cross eyed!

Then as I’m reading along, I get this wonderful parallel between Acts and Amos. James speaks to the people:

This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,
“After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;
   from its ruins I will rebuild it,
     and I will set it up,
so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—
   even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called.
     Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things known from long ago.”
(Acts 16:15-18)

Not an exact match but here’s Amos:

On that day I will raise up
   the booth of David that is fallen,
and repair its breaches,
   and raise up its ruins,
   and rebuild it as in the days of old;
In order that they may possess the remnant of Edom
   and all the nations who are called by my name,
   says the Lord who does this.
(Amos 9:11-12)

In the Book of Acts this is a time of tension between the Jews and Gentiles who either accept Jesus or want to deny his teachings, and of course the Apostles find themselves right in the midst of the debate.

For Amos, the message is toward Israel (the Northern Kingdom, remember them? Most of the prophets have been speaking to Judea and the Southern Kingdom). Like Judea, Israel is wicked (perhaps a bit more so than Judea, and is soon to find their way into exile. Amos gives warning. There is a chance for repentance, and of course it isn’t taken.

But those are just my words. Before we close, lets turn once again to thebibleproject.com and watch their description of Amos.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Readings for the next few days:
Tuesday, September 24: Obadiah & Jonah
Wednesday, September 25: Micah
Thursday, September 26: Nahum
Friday, September 27: Habakkuk & Zephaniah