Jill Harris

who lives like this now?

It was said of Joseph of Aramathea the he lived alert to the expectation of the kingdom of God. When Jesus died, Joseph asked Pilate for his body. No doubt because Joseph was a respected businessman and…

cue up Gungor

I do not like to admit owning a low spirit sometimes. My challenges are not so dangerous and threatening as others. I am not battling cancer, facing the loss of a child, filing bankruptcy, divorcing.…

Isaiah 57:15 (MSG)

Stealing Stillness

To be human is to be busy. Some say our generation has mastered this lifestyle with our mobile devices and constant status updates. But, I am inclined to believe this is not true. Consider this ancient…

Psalm 46:10 (MSG)

James 5:11

Peterson's translation gets to the point vividly! Wanton pursuit of riches fattens you up for death. Better to be spent and lean from pouring yourself out for others in this life...

On Productivity

We are reminded here of the value of diligence in our work. Positive spillovers create value for others. Hording our talent and energy does not earn us extra credit. Neither does squandering ourselves…

Titus 3:14 (MSG)

Paul: The Nancy Drew of the NT

What a life! I am perpetually fascinated by the scenes: Malta, the Adriatic Sea, Rome, Ephesus, Corinth, Jerusalem. And, by the details of Paul's adventures: his rented home in Rome (where he lived for…

Acts 27:1 (MSG), Acts 28:1 (MSG)

Tempers

I've often wondered why someone with the talent for it has not turned Acts into a movie series. There's more than enough content for three or four movies it seems to me. Multiple plot lines, thrills,…

Acts 15:38 (MSG)

Is it real? Or is it just a text?

When I read the first sermon Peter preaches in Acts and imagine the results that followed (around 3000 people respond to the invitation to turn their lives around and enter a new way of life) I am enchanted.…

Luke 2:41 (MSG)

Tell Your Story

Scene I: (camera pans over tombstones covered with dirt and debris...in the background the sound of a crazed demon-possessed voice fills the air...) To be sure: this guy's story would sell today as a…

Mark 5:1 (MSG), Mark 5:2 (MSG), Mark 5:3 (MSG), Mark 5:4 (MSG), Mark 5:5 (MSG), Mark 5:6 (MSG), Mark 5:7 (MSG), Mark 5:8 (MSG), Mark 5:9 (MSG), Mark 5:10 (MSG), Mark 5:11 (MSG), Mark 5:12 (MSG), Mark 5:13 (MSG), Mark 5:14 (MSG), Mark 5:15 (MSG), Mark 5:16 (MSG), Mark 5:17 (MSG), Mark 5:18 (MSG), Mark 5:19 (MSG), Mark 5:20 (MSG)

What Does it Take?

Adventurous men. All twelve of them. They had to be to quit their jobs, give up their lives, and follow after the rabbi, Jesus. Luke chronicles their faith journey so insightfully. In this one example,…

Luke 9:34 (MSG)

Prodigal

One of the best messages I've heard in the last several years was given by Tim Keller on this text. It was unique in that most pastors teaching on this parable focus on the lost son. But, Keller did not.…

Luke 15:1 (MSG)

Like a Good Neighbor

Who is my neighbor? The religious scholar sets a trap. Jesus tells a story. Stories reveal truth by showing--not telling. The truth is: neighbors are not defined by geography, but by opportunity. When…

Luke 10:29 (MSG)

Stories

The disciples inquire of Jesus: why do you tell stories? His response is priceless. It is an explanation and justification for every writer who has ever published any manuscript. Stories get at truth.…

Matthew 13:52 (MSG)

Malthus and Malachi

My discipline, the discipline of economics, is often referred to as the "dismal science". This is true (for lots of reasons) but legend has it Thomas Malthus is to blame. His life's work revolved around…

Malachi 3:1 (MSG)

Much Ado About Jonah

If reading Jonah makes you uncomfortable, chances are you've served in ministry. Perhaps you can identify with Jonah--terrified of the assignment, running the other way, honestly confronting your cowardice,…

Jonah 1:1 (MSG)

The Young and the Rest-of-us

One of the best features of YouVersion is the toggle switch for translations. The New King James is quite different from the Message. I love Eugene Peterson; all my life I have read his work and respected…

Psalm 103:1 (MSG)

Contrite yet Confident

This is a very personal psalm; David's sin was of the most personal nature. Nathan's revelation of it was personal. David is caught. There is no escape, no denying his actions nor the consequences of…

Psalm 51:7 (NKJV)

The Old Babylonian King was a Bad Dude

Such evil; the king had Zedekiah's sons executed before his eyes and then had Zedekiah blinded. The king of Babylon was a wicked bad dude.

2 Kings 25:7 (MSG)

Elijah Rocks

Raise a widow's son from death, pray for one container of flour and oil to never run out, have the ravens feed you, challenge the false-god-followers to an offering duel, pray down rain after a three…

1 Kings 18:1 (MSG)

The Old Promise

We just learned with our kids last Sunday that the word "testament" means promise. And, we asked the kids: why do we have an old promise and a new promise in the bible? To be sure, entire theology courses--if…

1 Kings 1:1 (NASB)

Three-in-One

Today's reading packed at least three distinctive messages jumping off the page at me: 1) God's plans involve us but are not limited by us 2) God's plans will make the most of the things uniquely ours…

1 Samuel 16:1 (MSG)

Of Fleece and Dreams

Gideon overhears an enemy soldier talking about the dream he had the night before. It's a nightmare to the soldier. They (the Midianites) are defeated in battle. The mystery and power of the God of Israel…

Judges 6:1 (MSG)

Holy Ground

We leave later this afternoon to take 4th-6th graders to winter camp. The theme revolves around being "bold". The key verse is from: Joshua. Some time ago I read a book by Mark Batterson that challenged…

Joshua 6:1 (MSG)

No Stopping-Get Going

Can you fathom it? Moses is dead. Get Going. That's it. Joshua has been a faithful and efficient second-in-command. Great leaders have always been great followers first. And, as a dedicated follower…

Joshua 3:1 (MSG)

A Far Better Country?

Just about the time I think the Israelites are a fickle people in this story, I realize: I'm not much better. Moses leads them out of slavery and bondage. They see the powerful demonstration of God's…

Exodus 1:1 (MSG)