Oct 28

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution Low down, dirty, rotten... everyday person?
    So another Bible study method is to pretend like I'm a producer and I am setting up a scene in a movie. So here goes... here is the scene... a guy and his wife get together and find out they can have a lot of money if they sell some land. Maybe they are caught up in the moment or whatever but they decided they were going to give all the "benjamins" to the church, but as they are counting the money and see the amount, they feel the cold, hard cash between their fingers, they star… Read more »

Oct 27

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution Got Hops?
    So here I am reading a book for college that is teaching me a new and fresh way to study the bible. Some of it I have learned and actually used before, but some of it is completely new. Here's some examples... see if you can follow. Who: are the characters in this text? Peter, John and Crippled man... good but aren't you missing someone? But aren't you missing some people? Look again. vs 2- says he was carried in... I'm assuming people did that. That struck me a littl… Read more »

Oct 26

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution The Holy Spirit was into "steppin'?"
    I like how this version phrases this. Peter "stepped forward", verse 14. That is sooo cool. Here they are gathered in the upper room and then a "mighty rushing wind" comes upon them. I was just referencing this last night at our youth service. I don't believe it is coincidence that it is on the "daily reading" on my youversion blog. wow. Anyways, what a cool way to learn to speak in another language, I sure could have used this help in High School and Co… Read more »

Oct 19

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution "Pride comes before the... ouch that hurt!"
    Wow... that is subtle. Did you read that? vs. 1-5 is saying that despite all the miracles they saw... like drinking from a rock... following one single cloud in dessert with empty sky... walking through the Red Sea... despite all these miracles the people forgot. You know with Thanksgiving approaching I really should take the time to reflect on all the "miracles" that God has done in my life. I encourage you to do the same! Verse 6-13--- serve as a warning to us not to forget an… Read more »

Oct 14

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution Undeniable Credit!
    You ever ask a question you already knew the answer too? Yea, I've done it occasionally. I've done it in bets and when I really wanted to prove people wrong. My motive was not always pure. Jesus was doing the same thing here! But knowing His motive had to be pure, what was his motive? I think He asked Phillip the question, so that Phillip would give the "facts", remember, technically Phillip had the right answer. In reality Jesus was saying, ok, make sure you have the… Read more »

Oct 13

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution Wild storms... calm Savior
    I actually never read that part, actually I prolly read it, cuz I can read, but I never processed it. Jesus walked on water, when the storm was crazy and out of control. Verse 48, says they were in serious trouble. He did THREE things. 1. - He walked on water (vs.48) -Letting them know He is in control, despite how messed up the storm is! 2. - He spoke... (vs.50) -He assured them He was there, He was with them and everything is going to be ok! 3. - He Climbed in... (vs.… Read more »

Oct 12

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution Bad Jesus!
    This verse used to upset me for the longest time... reading it at first glance a lot of questions come to mind. Why would Jesus be soo cruel, why would He show such favoritism and prejudice? This isn't like the Son of God, that I've read about. All through out the gospel's He was building bridges to the lost, He was hanging out with those that are "unworthy". Well, knowing this about His personality, something seems "fishy" here, right? According to some… Read more »

Oct 11

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution Let GO and let CLING!
    Clinging is something I also struggle with! Clinging to the wrong things that is. I forget that I am not from this world! This is not my home, I am an alien to this planet. I know that I don't walk around like I'm an alien, I am definitely quirky sometimes, which makes me weird, but am I an alien? Yea, I often find myself living for what I "see", for "family" for "things" and "stuff"! I am guilty, but I also know that I have to surrender… Read more »

Oct 6

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution Hope in "HOWEVER"
    I read this verse again today and it really stood out to me... all this "crap" was going on in Samson's life... a lot of it self inflicted... eyes gouged out... he was a "grinder" in prison... the verbal abuse and probably additional physical abuse... remember he was "unhurt-able" before... so you know people were testing that! The word..."HOWEVER" or "BUT"... implies a turn of the tides... it implies... "hope".. it's saying,… Read more »

Oct 4

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution A Servant's Worship!
    The highest calling... to serve others... this is not an easy thing. See I've done this, and had joy, but I've also done this and struggled with it. I've struggled with people that are unappreciative. People that take this act of kindness and take advantage of it. I honestly struggle with this, so much so, that I look at those in need and let past experiences effect me or rather infect me with a negative attitude towards helping those in the future. Well, now that I've c… Read more »

Sep 28

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution Anyone got change for 2 Mites?
    So this verse is interesting. Jesus is a people watcher... I am a people watcher too! I love to sit in the airport or other busy places and just watch the crowds go by! I didn't say "stalk", I said "watch". :-) I love reading their facial expressions, the little gestures, the little insecurities, the little nuances. I have sort of developed a skill at reading people like this, one thing I can't do, which I think is a cool gift, I can't read people's… Read more »

Sep 27

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution Abuse has a cure, why don't we use it?
    We are discussing the issue of abuse in church today. It is not just a woman's rights issue, it is not just targeting women. Children are obviously targeted, but so are men. You can not necessarily identify an abuser, by race, by dress, by wealth, etc. Why don't they just leave? Better yet, why do they abuse? The thing that struck me, is that this lady compared abuse to the "swine flu". There is a lot of talk about how this disease is a global pandemic. Key is there i… Read more »

Sep 24

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution A Thankless Job
    Wow... I honestly don't remember reading these verses before. Well, if I did they sure didn't stick like now! In a society where everyone finds excuses and reasons to honor one another. Basically these verses blow that concept out of the water. "Do your duty, and don't worry about seeking glory or thanks"! That is my paraphrase, of course. I can honestly say that I aspire to be like this, truly I do. I think on the most part I have lived my Christian walk this way… Read more »

Sep 21

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution Screaming is a godly habit! :-)
    I have been a Youth Pastor for 7+ years now. I have seen a few "ministry trends" come and go. There have been different "styles" when it comes to reaching students for Christ. This is not what I struggle with. I struggle with the fact that there are so many things "to do" and taking the time to figure out which is priority over the other! O and then you have to factor in parents, youth, and pastors. :-)) Gotta love that! Everyone has an opinion on which is t… Read more »

Sep 17

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution Just have faith and stop swimming!
    So, here's Peter, sopping wet from his un-expected dip. I'm sure he's a little embarrassed, but he must have been smiling inside. He just walked on water! Let me make this clear, NO ONE HAS EVER WALKED ON WATER BEFORE! I'd be smiling ear to ear from the rush, from the thrill, the adrenaline. Insert reality check here. Jesus says, "you have so little faith, why did you doubt me" wow! He had faith to get out of the boat, but he didn't have faith to stay o… Read more »

Sep 13

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution Do you hear what I see?
    Great verses on obedience and hearing the Holy Spirit. This chica came a long and was saying all the right things (vs.17), she was speaking actual truth, but something didn't feel right! (vs.18) Paul was uneasy about something that was not "seen" to the natural eye. The natural eye says, "hey this lady is supporting you... you should actually follow what she says... you should put her on every committee that you can... and oh you should duplicate this person!" Easy… Read more »

Sep 10

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution We need to come to our "Census"!
    Ok...so the title is definitely a play on words, but as I was reading this, I was struck by how easily I read passed that initial miracle. Didn't God even spare His son before birth? I mean, a census was taken, just looked it up to continue to validate it! I was asking the question why? Why would a census be taken, was it to find out who the Christ was, to get Him before He was born? I have heard such things, and if that were the case Christ was obviously spared and protected. Here is… Read more »

Sep 6

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution What is a "good neighbor"
    I have some neighbors around me... and it has become clear who I would like around me and who I wouldn't like around me. Some seem to live out there issues in front of you, including you in their issues whether you want them to or not. But this verse isn't referring to those that make us comfortable, it is referring to the simple principle I am called to "love" regardless of those around me! "I" am called to love... "I" am responsible for me! I can not… Read more »

Aug 31

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution hats, hair and herecy
    Man I love that title, very creative, I can not take credit for it, I read it from another pastor when I was looking up commentary on this verse. So, from what I have discovered in reading the back story on these verses. Cultural elements due play a huge role in the interpretation of this verse. First, a head covering did not refer to just a "cloth or hat" it was referring to "hair length" as well. The temple prostitutes of the day had "bald heads", this was to… Read more »

Aug 24

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution Invest Wisely!
    So I have been "learning", the hard way I might add, that it is better to invest in leaders that want to be invested in. The question is: How do we know who is worthy? Answer: Is there fruit? Do you see fruit in people that are expressing interest? Are they doing more then "talking"? I need to find those people and "invest wisely". dj Read more »

Jun 15

Apr 27

Mar 4

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution 1 Corinthians 16:15 - Spend it well!
    This is interesting... I love finding nuggets in scripture... Paul said about Stephanas and his household... "they are spending their lives in service to God's people." Wow... am I called to such a service? How am I spending my days... my alloted amount of time? man, the days are truly fleeting what will others say about me when I'm gone... what will I say when I look back over my life? Will I have these deep regrets? I need to "spend my life" better.… Read more »

Jan 12

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution Jesus' One Prayer (Luke 22:39-40)
    "pray that you may not enter into temptation"... He was saying pray that they may not grow weary and sleepy. (vs. 46) He was asking the Father for strength even for himself... so that He can finish the job. There is a very large task for us to do... very large... even daunting... we can not alter from this course... it is failure if we do. Read more »

Jan 6

  • djbri
    djbri added a text contribution You better recognize. (John 4: 10, 15, 19, 29)
    Man, how often do I miss it. Just like this lady, Jesus was basically saying... do you know who I am? If you did you would have asked me for this living water. but of course, Jesus breaks it down for her. he walks her through the processing... till she finally gets it. vs. 15- she realizes this water would be great... to save her time from walking back to this well. (this place of humility and pain, see she had to come when no one else was there, to avoid people) vs. 19- she finally perce… Read more »