Spit; Spoke; And The Man Heard

And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.

And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.

And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. 

                                                                                 (Mark 7:31-35 KJV)

He spit and spoke and the man was healed!

I often remind everyone that it is imperative for faith to grow that we hear the word of God. We need to attend worship and Bible studies as often as we can. If we cannot be with others because we are home bound for otherwise unavailable for whatever reason then we should read the scriptures aloud to ourselves. I have often reminded you (and myself) that: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:17)

So last night I was in an online Bible Study with that beloved theologian Dr. James Nestingen who led the study on the lessons for this Sunday. As he read and then discussed this lesson from the Gospel of Mark, I could not help but smile as my head heard how Jesus spit and spoke and the man was healed; because as I heard those words my mind translated those words to water and the Word. I could not help but smile as it came to me that Jesus used both water and the Word to heal the deaf man. No, I'm not attempting to turn this into a comparison with Baptism or a major theological discussion. It just struck me as very interesting (even odd) that he would spit; that he would use this form of water, to bring about healing of this man. Knowing Jesus, I am pretty sure that he did not have to use any form of physical substance to heal the deaf man. He did not even need to put his fingers in the man's ears. All he had to do was say it or maybe even think it because after all the deaf man could not hear the words until after he was healed. But, he did use them for whatever his reason was. I do not know that what Jesus did and continues to do is because of his love of all people.

I have been told too many times that it is difficult to understand the Bible so they have given up trying to understand it. Some parts of it are really boring. Those genealogies can be pretty boring. But, the truth is that is that it can be very interesting and enlightening for those who have ears to hear. There will be times when you will be smiling a lot. Just consider what would you might do if you were sick and someone came along and spit before they laid their hands on you for healing. I am not sure if you'd be smiling if someone tried that. But, it's definitely worth a smile. Or, how would you react if your pastor told you to "Get behind me, Satan!" (Mark 8:33) I'm pretty sure you'd be quickly conspiring to get rid of him or her. Oh, yes, Jesus was a character. He was pretty radical in the things he said and did. I often wonder how many Christians would put up with him if he walked the earth today as he did 2000 years ago.

Do not put off hearing the Word of God. Get to worship! Join a Bible Study! If you cannot get there in person there are a lot of live resources online. Relax! Enjoy! Live life! Hear the Word of God!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Children Are A Joy

Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

                                                                        (Luke 1:57-66 KJV)

So much excitement over the birth of John the Baptist! His father, Zacharias, praised the Lord at his circumcision.

Reading these verses this morning caused me to think about the joyless pregnancies we hear about today. What if Elizabeth or Mary had opted to terminate the pregnancies? Of course, Elizabeth would never have. She and Zacharias had for so long wanted a child. Mary, so young, was in a pretty inconvenient position when she became pregnant, though. But, the mothers of both John and Jesus loved their children and would have done them no harm; neither before or after birth.

Times were not easy in Zacharias' and Elizabeth's day nor are they for everyone today. But, the thought of having a child brought joy to them. If only it were so for those who find themselves with child today. 

I thank God for the birth of John and most especially for Jesus. I do not even want to consider what the world would be like today without their ministries and mission.

God's Peace - Pr. J

We See Dimly

"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinth 13:11-13 NRSV

What a glorious day it will be when we shall see the Lord face to face. But, for now we have faith, hope and love as we wait for the day when the shadow is gone; the shroud is removed, and the fog is lifted so that we will see His full glory as we stand before Him.

No matter how dimly we might see now; it is better than not seeing or knowing Him at all. May God open our eyes that we might see and know Him more clearly each and every day.


God's Peace - Pr. J

Thunderous Voice

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings,
   ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
   worship the Lord in the splendor of his 

   holiness.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
   the God of glory thunders,
   the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
   the voice of the Lord is majestic.

                                    Psalm 29:1-4 NIV

I awoke to the sound of powerful thunder over the mighty waters last night. I love to listen to the skies quake and the oceans roar. I love to hear the sound of the thunder; to hear the pounding of the rain upon the roof; to sit in the darkness watching the lightning light up the sky in the darkness of the night.

The sound of thunder in Flagler Beach is not quite like the sound it makes in Michigan. It sounds so much closer to the earth here. It roars like the ocean roars in the midst of a storm. At one point last night it sounded as though maybe the ocean had decided to roar over the land so much that I felt obliged to get up and check to see if the water  was rising and how fast. It is not that it causes me fear. It reminds me that we should all have just a little more fear and respect for the one who has power over all things; even the storms. Storms remind me of the beginning; of how the Spirit of God hovered over the darkness; over the deeps; over the chaos. And, as God spoke with his mighty voice He created all things out of all that darkness and chaos.

I do appreciate a good storm now and then. I enjoy listening to the roar of the water and the thunder. It reminds me of who God is. It reminds me that He is all powerful. He is majestic. Let us all give God the glory due His name!

God's Peace – Pr. J    

We See Dimly

"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love."                                                                                                        1 Corinthians 13:11-13 NRSV

We wait with anticipation for that glorious day when we see the Lord face to face. But, for now we have faith, hope, and love as we wait for the day when the shadow is gone; when the shroud is removed; and when the fog is lifted so that we will see His full glory as we stand before Him.

No matter how dimly we might see now; it is better than not seeing or knowing Him at all. May God open our eyes that we might see and know Him more clearly each and every day.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Listen To The Word

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. Heb 1:1-2 NRSV

I am always amazed by the number of people who rely on astrology or fortunetellers for a positive look at their personal futures. Sometimes, they are surprised and according to these false prophets their futures are not so bright. But, the Christian does not depend on reading the stars or listening to people who speak to the dead as these are forbidden by God. The Christian trusts in the word of God. He or she reads the word as found in the Holy Scriptures. The Christian listens to the Word who is Jesus the Christ.

In these latter days, God has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus the Christ. We know that in him and only in him do we have a future of hope. We know that our future includes eternal life in the presence of God Almighty. What better place could we hope to be?

Advent begins this Sunday, join us or your local congregation throughout the coming days as we hear the word of the Lord and prepare with hope for the coming of our Lord, Jesus the Christ. Our futures depend on him. Our futures depend on the Word. Listen to him!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We See Dimly

"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinth 13:11-13 NRSV


What a glorious day it will be when we shall see the Lord face to face. But, for now we have faith, hope and love as we wait for the day when the shadow is gone; the shroud is removed and the fog is lifted so that we will see His full glory as we stand before Him.

No matter how dimly we might see now; it is better than not seeing or knowing Him at all. May God open our eyes that we might see and know Him more clearly each and every day.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Listen To The Word!

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. Heb 1:1-2 NRSV I am always amazed by the number of people who rely on astrology or fortunetellers for a positive look at their personal futures. Sometimes, they are surprised that according to these false prophets their futures are not so bright. But, the Christian does not depend on reading the stars or listening to people who speak to the dead as these are forbidden by God. The Christian trusts in the word of God. He or she reads the word as found in the Holy Scriptures. The Christian listens to the Word who is Jesus the Christ.

In these latter days, God has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus the Christ, who is the Word made flesh. We know that in him and only in him do we have a future of hope.

If you are not worshipping with a community of believers; please, as a new year's resolution for yourself, find a local congregation to worship with so that you might hear the word of the only one who truly knows what the future will bring. He is the Word!

God's Peace - Pr. J.