FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel…And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. Luke 2:25;36 What is the difference between “waiting for” and “waiting on”? Far from being a trick question, it hints at a language lesson Luke might have wanted to insert to enhance his exhaustive telling of the Nativity story. So we brace for some New Testament

The Lord God said, “Since the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not reach out, take from the tree of life, and live forever.” …He drove the man out and stationed the cherubim and the flaming, whirling sword east of the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:22-24 The fragrant live tree in its prime, set up in the homes of God-loving families, marks Christmas Day as a cherished event. Advent is known as a sacred season of

The Lord God said, “Since the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not reach out, take from the tree of life, and live forever.” …He drove the man out and stationed the cherubim and the flaming, whirling sword east of the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:22-24 This “tree of life” was the forbidden tree in paradise, prompting the serpent to ask Eve if she really meant to take God’s warning seriously. In doing so, Satan s

Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips… and their fear of me is a commandment of men learned by rote; therefore, behold, I will again do marvelous things with this people… Isaiah 29:13-14 Thanksgiving Day in many homes is a lavish affair with many guests. Out come the obligatory folding tables for the youngsters. Let them giggle and wiggle and gobble to their hearts’ content. Do they ever talk – or do we – about what else might go on in

Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips… and their fear of me is a commandment of men learned by rote; therefore, behold, I will again do marvelous things with this people… Isaiah 29:13-14 Something good can be said for the grumpy son who disgraced his generous father. His many days of labor in the field provided the bountiful food served at that lavish homecoming party. Too bad the hard worker did not have a field day. The dictionary def

Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. Luke 15:25 Our passionate young, raised in the church, do mature to the point where critical thinking replaces compliant acceptance of our doings and sayings. They spot the incongruities and balk at stale traditions. They wrestle with the Jesus of their Sunday school innocence. As the Superman of Bible heroes,

Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. Luke 15:25 We could tell him! It meant he was so emotionally distant from his father as if the field he toiled in that day had been the geographically “far country” of the younger son’s wasteful living. It meant he was a deliberate miser, proud of his measly joys and starved relationships. He thrived on acting

To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury...

To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury...

And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you…” And he…took the...

And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you…” And he…took the...

When I began to memorize Scriptures years ago, I skipped linking them with specific books or chapters.. Today I paid the price, but had...

If he rescued righteous Lot…(for by what that righteous man saw and heard as he lived among them, he was vexed in his righteous soul day...

If he rescued righteous Lot…(for by what that righteous man saw and heard as he lived among them, he was vexed in his righteous soul day...

But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman sorely troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out...

But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman sorely troubled; I have neither drunk wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out...

Thus says the king, “Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with scant fare…until I come in peace.” 1 Kings 22:27 Ahab had warned...

Thus says the king, “Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with scant fare…until I come in peace.” 1 Kings 22:27 When Syria had...

Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame… Go out…and compel people to...

Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame… Go out…and compel people to...