Some people become part of a fringe group because their cause is so outlandish or the prevailing social climate is so clearly opposed to their ideas. But there is another sort of fringe group. It is a self-imposed limitation that we see in this brief encounter recorded in Matthew 14. Matthew 14:34-36 And when they…

Our son had the privilege and challenge of being part of a minority group when he went to high school, where white students numbered less than 30 percent. He, however, had made very good black friends. One day he was being harassed by one of the members of the other group. He simply said, “Do…

Tom was never chosen first when he and his friends played sports; he was not athletic. Sometimes he was chosen last; often next-to-last. Always the team captain chose him reluctantly: “I guess we’ll take Tom.” Imagine how it feels to him today to be chosen early on – for anything! Jesus has chosen us by…

The Friendship Factor is a book by Alan Loy McGinnis. The tag expresses its theme: “At the heart of each relationship is the friendship factor–the essential ingredient of warmth and caring.” John 15:12-17 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this,…

Give glory to God: that’s our calling as God’s people. We are not made to stand alone, to do it according to our own standard, to fill our lives and hearts with things pleasing to the eye, good for fruit, and desirable for gaining wisdom (cf. Genesis 3:6). We are called to give glory to…

When I was a Boy Scout we employed the buddy system whenever we went swimming at summer camp. Each scout had a buddy – a fellow scout – and you would look for each other on occasion as you swam in the lake. They had it down to a science: every so often the leader…

When it comes to centering our hearts in any truth, and building our lives on any specific foundation, Jesus offers that center: “Abide in my love,” he says (v. 9). John 15:1-11 [Jesus says,] 1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit…

The first sermon of my own was based on this passage from John 15. I recall very little about the message, but quite a bit about the experience. It was in a small church in central Illinois. The pastor was on vacation and had arranged through the seminary for me to preach and lead worship.…

The adventure of actually following Jesus is far more exciting than merely watching from the sidelines. He sends us on our way and has plans in mind for us that we might never anticipate. Matthew 14:22-27 Immediately [Jesus]  made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he…

Sometimes we have a picture of Jesus that is shaped only by our immediate desires and personal sensibilities. We love the baby Jesus. We yearn for the Good Shepherd Jesus. But there’s more to Jesus than a manger and a shepherd’s staff. Matthew 14:22-27 Immediately [Jesus]  made the disciples get into the boat and go…