The Bible

In April of 2013 I started reading the book of Genesis with the goal of reading the Bible cover to cover.  Just shy of 7 years later, I accomplished my goal!  It has been such a commitment, experience and period of discovery.  I have had dry spells, can't get enough spells, and lukewarm to the idea of it spells.  But isn't that our journey of faith?  Discovery, and falling in love over and over with God and his word?

1 Peter

• Blessings cannot be destroyed and are kept in heaven
• Faith is shown pure in troubles
• Before we know we follow evil ways; now tat we know, we must live a holy life
• As babies want milk, want the teachings; Jesus is the cornerstone
• Live for God, obey authority
• Respect our spouse; wives be holy to influence; not influential by clothes and/or jewelry
• Suffer for doing right = blessed
• Respect Christ, be ready to explain your hope with gentleness and respect
• Strengthen yourself as Christ did to withstand evil desires
• Love will cause sins to be forgiven
• Suffering because a Christian trust and faith gets you through
• Watch over your people humbly as an example not as a ruler
• Give your worries to God

Titus

• Paul write to Titus
• Titus is appointing elders in towns; elders must have only 1 wife and believing children
• Elders hold onto what is true and can tell others when their ways are wrong
• Paul tells Titus to encourage the people: young and old; men and women - to be wise and true; to show they serve God and are waiting for hope and the coming of Jesus
• Don't speak evil and do goo
• Don't follow the enjoyment of your body, but remember the kindness and love of God and do good deeds
• Also Titus, help others teaching the Good News

1 Thessalonians

• Thessalonians believed and stopped worshipping idols and spread the Good News
• Paul uses his words to try to please God, not people
• Paul accepted them as the word of God, not just people
• Paul wants to visit again, but is glad when Timothy brings good news of them back to him
• Live a life pleasing to God, no sexual sin
• Take care of your business and you will be respected
• When the Lord comes again, those who have died first will go before those still living
• The Lord's coming will be a surprise but believers should be prepared and not asleep; faith, love and hope will protect us in the coming of the Lord
• Appreciate hard workers
• Live in peace
• Encourage the afraid
• Help the weak
• Be patient
• Don't return wrong with wrong
• Keep what is good, stay away from evil

Love Beyond Reason

This book took me awhile.  It had a more academic reading/feel to it and I had a more difficult time staying engaged and following along.  It's a busy season, and I'm tired in the evenings so my mind wanders and often falls asleep.  It certainly had good points in it, and I'm sure I missed some great points too as I lost focus on the reading.

Colossians

• Paul writes to the people of Colossee wishing grace and peace and thanking them for their faith, hope and love
• Christ is first; all things are created through Him and for Him; Christ first rose from the dead and made us friends with God again
• Christ is our only hope for glory; so we share all God's teachings with other people to bring everyone to God
• Paul in body is away from them, but with them in heart
• Be strong in faith as taught and thankful
• Don't be fooled by human teaching
• Don't follow rules of people about eating, drinking, feats; hold tight to Christ - the rules don't really control sinful desires as they aim to
• Paul tells of how you should live with your new life in Christ: think only of heaven, stop evil things for doing them is like serving a false God, forgive, love, everything you do, do for the Lord
• Treat other people well
• Always be kind and pleasant with talking with others
• Paul tells of the people whit him and who he sends to the people
• Share the letter with the church

Philippians

• Paul opens his letter wishing them grace and peace from prison
• Paul prays joy and thanks for these people in Philippi and prays for their love and understanding and the work God is doing in them
• Paul in prison helps spread the Good News; people are more bravely sharing the message
• Some are sharing Good News for the wrong reason, but the message is still being shared
• Be unselfish like Christ; be humble
• Hoping Timothy and Epaphroditus are sent to them soon for they work in Jesus
• Paul strictly followed the law as a Pharisee, then he learned of Christ and was made right
• Paul is continuing toward Christ's goal for him, but he hasn't yet reached it
• Our homeland is in heaven
• Christians should be full of joy in the Lord, be gentle and kind; don't worry about anything; pray about everything; give thanks; God will bring peace
• Think about good and worthy things
• Paul is tankful for their care and giving
• Paul can live in poverty and plenty with strength of Christ
• Paul isn't wanting gifts, but wants Christians to have the good that comes from giving

Ephesians

• God chose His people before Jesus in love; He has given us every blessing with Jesus
• Heaven & Earth joined together; Christ is the head
• Holy Spirit is guarantee of God's promise
• We are all sinful and deserve God's anger for our sin; but God's mercy is great and He gave us new life with Christ
• We cannot save ourselves
• Christ broke down the barriers between Jews and non-Jews
• God's love is more than we can understand
• Christ gave gifts to people, the body of Christ to grow each other in peace and love toward Christ's perfection
• Change your life; know Biblical truth not false prophets; don't steal; don't say harmful words; be kind, loving & forgive
• Live a life of love
• No sexual sin; don't talk of other dark sins
• Be careful how you live
• Husbands love your wives as you love yourselves; wives respect your husbands
• Children obey parents; parents teach your kids about the Lord
• Slaves and masters: treat each other well
• Wear the amour of God

1 Corinthians

• Paul is thankful to God for Jesus; Jesus keeps us strong to the end
• Paul l earns of problems and arguments in the church; who each group say they follow: Paul, Apollos, Christ - Christ should be the answer (Paul & Apollos aren't important)
• Paul came to teach nervous and trembling so you'd know it was God's wisdom through the Spirit
• Spirit - inner knowing (only the Spirit knows the deep secrets of God); we really can know God through the Spirit
• Only our inner spirit knows our inner thoughts; Spirit teaches us
• Not spiritual if quarreling; talked to like babies without the Spirit
• Paul planted seed; Apollos waters it; Only God makes it grow (God important; not Paul or Apollos)
• Paul & Apollos are God's workers, will be rewarded, but not important
• Wisdom of the world is foolishness to God
• Apostles serve Christ and feel las in the world
• Don't associate with believers who cheat, sin sexually, are greed, abuse or worship idols; don't want evil among you, but it will be in the world in non-believers because to avoid them you'd have to leave the world
• Solve problems among believers in the church, not in court
• We can do all tings, but not all things are good for us
• Your body is connected with Christ, do don't sin sexually to sin against your own body
• Your body is a temple
• God says no divorce, please your husband/wife
• Paul says single is better unless you are too overcome with sexual desire
• Don't cause another believer to do something they think is wrong because you think it is okay (i.e. eating meat)
• Learn from Israel's past
• God will give you a way out when tempted
• Do what is good for the most people, not just yourself
• Woman came from man and for man
• Wait for each other to eat in the church; dot use it to display your abundance; if you're really hungry, eat at home to avoid judgement
• Spirit gives different gifts to different people
• Out gifts are like part of 1 body, all needed, important and working together for God
• I am nothing without love
• Out gifts will end; they are not perfect
• Faith, hope and love continue forever, love is the greatest
• You should want spiritual gits, especially prophecy for it helps the church grow stronger
• Speaking in languages isn't useful if people don't understand, use only if there's an interpreter
• Women shouldn't speak at church, but ask their husbands at hoe
• Christ was human and raised from the dead so humans can be raised from the dead
• If we aren't raised from the dead, there isn't much to live for
• Earthly body and heavenly body
• Work for God is never wasted
• Be strong in faith and have courage

Out of the Spin Cycle

It took me quite awhile to get through these devotions, but they were so great.  And I'd recommend it for any mom. 

Romans

·         Paul goes to share the Good News to the Romans who God seeks too

·         All people are sinful, don’t give thanks or glory to God

·         God judges all the same; when we judge, we judge ourselves guilty too because we are also sinful

·         A true Jew is a Jew on the inside too, not just outside (circumcision)

·         God trusted Jews with His laws, but having the law isn’t enough, following it is, but we cannot be made right with the law, the law shows us our sin

·         We are made right by faith in Jesus

·         Abraham’s FAITH made him right with God not works or deeds

·         Abraham is father of all believers, circumcised and not

·         Faith in God through Jesus is enough

·         Because of Jesus: faith = peace, grace, hope, joy

·         Trouble produce patience; patience produces character; character products hope; hope = no disappointment

·         Jesus made us God’s friends again (not anger enemies)

·         Adam’s 1^st act = sin; Jesus 1^st act = salvation

·         We shared Jesus death in our baptism – new life, old life dead so sin doesn’t have power over us

·         Not under law (sin); under God’s grace

·         Not slaves to sin; slaves to goodness

·         Law showed us what sin is; sin used something good (law) to bring death

·         Sin & goodness in each of us warring for our time and attention (mind=slave to God’s law; sinful self = slave to the law of sin)

·         Follow the spirit, not sin; Spirit helps you avoid sinful ways

·         God will finish making us His children in glory = freedom

·         Hope is what we cannot see

·         We don’t know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit speaks for us

·         The law cannot make you right with God

·         Believe in our hearts and proclaim with our mouths so we are saved

·         God calls people to share the Good News

·         God of mercy

·         Pray; love; use your gifts; be humble; work for God; don’t punish others; help others

·         Obey the law and rules put there by God

·         Owe others nothing but love

·         Loving your neighbor is following all other rules; love doesn’t hurt a neighbor

·         Don’t’ criticize other’s methods for following God

·         Do not cause other to sin

·         Paul wants to reach those who haven’t heard the Good News, not build on someone else’s start

·         Paul needs prayer support from others in his work

John

• Jesus is the light of the world and was there at creation
• When Jesus came His own people didn't recognize Him
• John tells people about Jesus and that he is unworthy to even untie Jesus sandals
• Jesus starts collecting followers
• Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding turning water into wine when His mother let Him know the wine had run out
• Jesus went to the temple and Jerusalem for Passover and He knew all people
• Jesus love for the temple motivated Him to throw out the money changes and corrupt business buying and selling in the temple
• A Pharisee, Nicodemus, comes to Jesus and believes He is from God, but even as an important Jewish leader, didn't understand
• We must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven (Holy Spirit)
• Jesus and John the Baptist were baptizing followers and John was happy more were going to Jesus: Jesus = more important, John = less important
• God gave Jesus the Spirit fully
• Believe Jesus = eternal life
• Pharisees had heard of Jesus so He left Judea for Galilee via Samaria
• Jesus asks a Samaritan woman for a drink at the well; He tells her of the living water and her 5 husbands and she tells the town the news
• He stayed in Samaria 2 days and many believed
• A King's officer from Capernaum went to Galilee for Jesus to heal His son; Jesus sends him away telling him his son will live; he and his people then believed
• Jesus heals a man, sick 38 years, at the pools on Sunday and Jews begin to persecute Him
• Jesus authority comes from God; Jesus is the Son and works to please God, not Himself
• Jesus fed 5,000 who had followed Him with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish; then He went to the hills alone
• The followers went ahead in the boat on high waves, when Jesus walked out on water to them, calmed them and their boat was at their destination right away
• Jesus is the bread of life (His flesh); whoever believes has eternal life
• Spirit gives life
• God leads people to Jesus
• Jesus knew who believed and who would betray (Judas)
• Jesus brothers don't believe and people aren't talking openly about Jesus in fear
• Jesus teaches what comes from God, not Himself or other teachers
• Don't judge by looks, but by what is right
• Jews wanted to kill Jesus but He kept teaching because it wasn't the right time and some people were confused why He could keep teaching if His death was wanted
• They try to arrest Him; Jesus says not yet, but soon I will go where you can't find me
• The Holy Spirit will soon come for people
• People didn't agree with each other about Jesus {and they still don't today}
• The people bring Jesus a woman in adultery and ask if they should stone her for her sins; Jesus says the person without sin can throw the first stone; they all left, but Jesus
• Jesus is the light of the world, God is His witness
• Jesus does only what is pleasing to God and to know Jesus is to know the father, but people don't understand
• All honor comes from God
• The people bring Abraham, their father, to the discussion claiming Jesus cannot be greater than him, but Jesus says He was before Abraham and people throw rocks at Him
• People believed God talked to Moses and Abraham but not Jesus
• Jesus heals a man born blind and the Pharisees question him
• Sheep follow the voice of their shepherd because hey know him; follow Jesus, know his voice
• A good owner/shepherd protects His flock and doesn't leave when a wolf comes; He calls his flock together
• The people through they knew God better than Jesus
• Mary and Martha's brother Lazarus died and they sent for Jesus; Jesus went knowing he was dead and wept with them, but they went to the tomb and Jesus rose Lazarus from the grave
• Caiaphas foretold Jesus death to save many, the Jewish people
• Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus days before the Passover (preparation for death)
• Leading priests decide they want Lazarus dead to since that miracles is making believers
• Don't say 'father save me' but 'father, bring glory to you'
• Jesus didn't come to judge but to save
• Accept Jesus people = accept Jesus = accept God
• Jesus washes disciples feet
• Jesus talks of His death and Judas betrayal
• Jesus tells Peter he will deny knowing him 3 times
• Jesus is preparing a place in heave for His followers in the many rooms
• God will send the Holy Spirit to His people
• I am a branch, Jesus is the vine; can do nothing without Him
• Love each other as Jesus loves us
• Jesus is a friend
• Jesus followers don't belong to the world
• Jesus tells of what the Holy Spirit will come do
• Short term sadness at Jesus leaving will lead to long term joy
• Jesus will have victory over the world
• Jesus prays for His glory and His followers and those His followers teach to be safe, to join Him and to see the glory
• Judas leads them to arrest Jesus in the garden
• Simon Peter cuts of fa servants eat that comes to arrest and Jesus tells him to put the sword away
• Jesus is questioned by leaders and officials and Peter denies knowing Him
• Jesus connects one of His followers with His mother as family on the way to the cross
• The Jews choose to crucify Jesus and He dies and is buried
• Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty and gets the followers
• Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and she rushes to give the message to the followers
• Jesus appears to the followers in locked rooms twice
• Jesus did so much more on Earth than is written
• Jesus appears again
• Jesus tells Peter to take care of His sheep
• Don't worry what Jesus is doing in another person (no comparisons); focus on your work Jesus leads you

A couple questions I had when reading John:

• Why does the writing describe one as "the one Jesus loved?" Why not list the name?  Jesus loved them all.
• There was a week between the first two times Jesus revealed himself to his followers after his resurrection, where was be the rest of the time?

Hope Heals

I finished this book on vacation last week.  It was an amazing story of love.  Yes, it was a story of hope too, but love was certainly profound throughout the story.  In sickness and in health commitment.  Their unwavering commitment to kindness, faith and each other is inspiring. 

Luke

• Luke write his studies and teachings of Jesus in order
• Zechariah, a priest, saw an angel in the temple who told of his coming son (John) and his ways; he didn't believe and los his ability to speak
• Elizabeth, who was old, did become pregnant
• Elizabeth stayed home 5 months
• The same angel Zechariah saw, went to Mary and tells her she will be pregnant and have Jesus; Mary says let it be so, she BELIEVED
• Mary goes to Elizabeth & John leaped inside Elizabeth and she became full of the Holy Spirit
• Mary praises God, stays with Elizabeth 3 months and returns home
• John was born and their people rejoiced with them; at John's circumcision Elizabeth named him John, but people protested because it was not the family name
• Zechariah wrote "his name is John" and he could speak again and praised God
• John lived in the desert until he came out to preach to Israel
• Cesar required a registration of everyone so Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem and there it came time for Mary to give birth; there were no rooms in the inn, she wrapped Him in cloths, laid him in a manger
• Shepherd were in the field nearby when an angel appeared and told them of Jesus birth, so they went and saw and told Mary what the angel had said (she reassured it and through of those things)
• The baby was circumcised and named Jesus as the angel told Mary before the baby was growing in her
• Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him to God and make a sacrifice
• Simeon, a good and godly man, had the Holy Spirit and knew he wouldn't die before he saw Christ as promised, Simeon went to the temple and held baby Jesus
• Simeon declared Jesus a light to non-Jewish and a sign from God many people will not accept and what will happen ill make Joseph and Mary sad too
• Joseph and Mary were amazed at what Simeon said
• Prophetess Anna fasted and worshipped and prayed in the temple always, she met Jesus and thanked God and spoke about Him to those waiting for Jerusalem to be free
• Mary and Joseph took Jesus back to Nazareth and raised Him
• After the Passover feast in Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph headed home not realizing Jesus wasn't with them for a day; they went back to Jerusalem and found him in the temple listening and asking questions of the teachers
• Jesus told them He was in His father's house, but He returned with Mary and Joseph
• John preaches changed hearts; preparing the way for the Lord
• John preaches that your actions and life show your change, share your abundance and don't be greedy for more
• Jesus will come and baptize with the Holy Spirit
• John baptizes Jesus and the Holy Spirit comes
• Jesus family history (to Adam)
• Holy Spirit led Jesus to the desert to be tempted by the devil for 40 days without food - devil tempted Him for food, power and angels
• Jesus teaches and received praise, except in His hometown; Nazareth tried to send Him over a cliff, but Jesus walked through the crowd and away
• Jesus sent an evil spirit out of a man and news of Jesus spread
• Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law from fever and she immediately serves them
• Jesus heals many more people who come to Him, then He went away to a lonely place; the people tried to get Him to return, but He must teach in other areas
• Jesus was teaching a crowd near the shore when He got in a boat and asked Simon to push off from the land so He could continue teaching
• After teaching, Jesus told Simon to put his nets in the deep water (after they'd fished all night for nothing) and they caught so many fish their nets were breaking and boats almost sinking
• Then they follow Jesus and fish for men (Simon, James, John)
• Jesus heals a man with a skin disease and sends him to make an offering quietly, but news of His works spread
• Jesus went away alone to pray often
• Jesus heals a paralyzed man brought to Him through a roof by his friends
• Jesus tells Levi the tax collector to follow Him and Levi hosts his friends and Jesus at dinner
• Jesus came for sinners (tax collectors were sinners)
• Jesus answers a question about His followers fasting - they will when Jesus is taken away
• Jesus followers picked grain to eat on the Sabbath and Pharisees questioned Him; Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath
• Jesus heals on the Sabbath because it is good, not evil and Pharisees are angry
• Jesus went away for the night to pray on the mountain, the next day He chose 12 apostles from His followers
• Jesus teaches and heals
• Love your enemies, give expecting nothing in return; even sinners love their friends
• The way you give to others is how God will give to you
• A student can be like the teacher not better
• Don't be a hypocrite
• You are known by the fruit you produce; you speak and act what is in your heart
• Build your house on rock (the Lord); the you can withstand water and shaking
• Jesus heals a soldiers servant - the solider had great faith
• Jesus brings a young man back to life during the funeral, he felt very sorry for the widowed mother
• John was more than a prophet, a messenger; but he is less important than the least important person in the kingdom of God
• Pharisees wouldn't be baptized by John
• Out of great love a woman (sinner) brought perfume and washed Jesus feet with her tears and dried with her hair - her sins were forgiven - as someone who's a bigger debt is forgiven is happier than a small debt washed away
• Jesus, his apostles and some women (healed of sickness) were a group
• Seed planting parable: beside the road = disbelief; rocky ground = shallow roots; thorny weeds = worry and pleasure rule; good soil = good fruit
• Use what you have and share it with others
• Family is who listens to God
• Jesus calms a storm when they are crossing a lake on a boat
• A man with many demons came to Jesus and He forced them out into pigs who ran and drown; the people were afraid once this happened and news spread and asked Jesus to leave - the healed man asked to go too, but Jesus told him to stay and tell of the good God did
• A woman, bleeding 12 years, touches Jesus and is healed because she believed; Jesus feels it and seeks her out in the crowd to hear her story and acknowledge her
• Jesus bring life back to Jarius's daughter (a synagogue leader)
• Jesus sent the apostles out to teach and heal and take nothing with them - He also warned them to shake the dirt off their shoes and leave if they aren't welcome
• Herod (governor) kept hearing people's ideas of who Jesus was: Elijah, John the Baptist, other prophet from long ago - all risen from the dead; Herod tried to see Jesus
• Apostles returned to tell Jesus of their trips alone together, but people discovered where they were and flocked to him (5,000)
• Apostles told Jesus to send the 5,000 away late in the day to find food and places to rest, but Jesus said feed them; Jesus thanked God for their 5 loaves and 2 fish and fed everyone
• Peter answers Jesus that He is the Christ and Jesus tells them not to tell anyone for He will suffer, die and rise
• To follow Jesus you must give up your life
• Jesus, Peter, James and John went up a mountain to pray, during Jesus prayer, His appearance changed and 2 men talked with Jesus (Moses & Elijah) about the coming events in Jerusalem; the disciples were sleepy but saw the glory of Jesus and Peter offered to build them tents, but a cloud covered them and claimed Jesus as His son and to listen to Him - Moses and Elijah were gone and for awhile Peter, James and John didn't tell people what they'd seen
• The next day down from the mountain a man shouted and asked Jesus to heal his only son from an evil spirit that the followers couldn't drive out; Jesus answered that people have no faith and wrong lives and Jesus commanded the demon to leave the boy
• Jesus says He will be handed over, but the followers were hidden from understanding
• The followers argued over who is the greatest, Jesus took a child and said they must accept a child in His name, whoever is least is really the greatest
• If not against you, then for you
• Jesus sent people ahead to prepare for Jerusalem, but the town didn't welcome Him so they went elsewhere  the followers asked if they should destroy the unwelcoming
• When you follow Jesus, you must not look back
• Jesus sends 12 our in pairs to harvest people and pray for more workers to harvest, carry nothing, stay where people give peace, leave if they don't
• If unbelievers refuse to accept the workers, they are refusing God
• Our happiness should come from salvation to heave not for worldly things or obedience of others to you
• Jesus is shown to those like children
• The good Samaritan parable - go and show mercy to people, be a neighbor
• Mary listened to Jesus, the guest, Martha worried and fretted about getting stuff done but that wasn't important, Mary's choice was the more important role
• The Lord's prayer
• Ask and you will find; God wants to help us
• Jesus power is from God not Satan; Satan wouldn't drive demons out and be divided; a house divided falls
• An empty person has room for evil spirits
• Hear God and obey = happiness
• People want a miracle, but none will be given; Jonah is a reminder to our sins
• Be a light and it shines to others; don't let any darkness in
• Jesus accuses Pharisees of focusing on appearance, not heart
• Teacher of the law were offended by Jesus teaching; Jesus told them they made laws they themselves couldn't follow and are hindering others from learning because they aren't
• Don't be a hypocrite, your words will be heard that are said inside, fear God for His power, but you are worth so much He knows how many hairs are on our heads
• Do not speak against the Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit will show you what to say
• Don't be greedy
• Storing up things for yourself in greed is useless, store things rich for God
• Seek God's kingdom first, not our own needs
• Do no worry, we cannot add life with worry
• Don't store money here, store faith and hope in heaven so your heart will be there
• Always be ready and welcoming for Jesus
• Much is expected of those with much (trusted)
• Jesus causes division
• Understand Jesus and scripture as we do our world
• Try to settle out of court with your enemy
• Change your hearts and lives so you aren't destroyed
• Those that died in events weren't more sinful than others
• A farmer wanted to get rid of a fig tree with no figs, but the servant asked for 1 more year to try to get it to produce
• Jesus healed a crippled woman with an evil spirit on the Sabbath and the synagogue leader was angry, but Jesus called them hypocrites, they care for their animals even on the Sabbath
• God's kingdom is like a mustard seed
• God's kingdom is like the yeast in the dough
• Jesus taught in many towns on the way to Jerusalem
• The heaven door is narrow; lowest will be high; high will be low
• Pharisees came to tell Jesus of Herod wanting to kill; Jesus says a few days to finish His journey to Jerusalem for He must die there and teach on His way
• People watched Jesus very closely
• Healing on the Sabbath ok for Jesus
• Don't make yourself important; choose a seat that is away and unimportant (humble to great)
• Give, expecting nothing in return
• Invite everyone not just your friends and family
• No one came that was invited to the banquet so they filled it with everyone from the streets
• Love Jesus first and most; give up everything and follow
• The lost sheep and lost coin are worth to be looked for - rejoicing in heave over sinners finding their way - celebrate them
• Celebrate the son who returned home because he learned and changed for good
• A rich man's manager was dishonest with the money he managed
• Dishonest with little = dishonest with lot
• Cannot serve 2 masters: God or worldly riches
• Important to people = hateful in God's sight
• The law of Moses stands
• Divorce and remarriage is adultery
• Lazarus with sores and poor laid at the rich man's gate for scraps of food; when Lazarus died He was with Abraham when the rich man died he could see Lazarus and Abraham from afar and sought help for himself and his family still living but they didn't believe the prophets
• Do not cause others to sin; warn others of sin and forgive them when they do
• Faith the size of a mustard seed can do a lot
• Serve others first, recognize we are unworthy servants doing work we are supposed to do
• Jesus sent 10 men with a skin disease to the priest and when 1 realized he was healed ran back to Jesus to give thanks
• God's kingdom is within you
• The son of man will come again as in the time of Noah and Lot in Sodom - people carried on, lived, drank married until they all died by flood or fire
• When this time comes, remember Lot's wife - don't look back/go back for anything; give up your life to save it
• Always pray, never loose hope
• Humbleness = right with God
• Accept the kingdom of God like a child - let the children come to Jesus
• Rich man asked Jesus how to get to heaven; obey rules, sell everything and follow Jesus
• Hard for rich to get to heaven
• Jesus told disciples of coming death and resurrection as prophets wrote, but understanding was kept from them
• A blind man calls to Jesus on the road and is healed for believing, he followed Jesus and thanked God - those who saw this praised God
• A short Zacheus tax collector ran ahead of Jesus and climbed a tree to see Him; Jesus called him down to stay at his house
• An important man gave coins to men before he left and told them to do business with them; 1 servant returned 10 coins; 1 5 coins and 1 returned 1 coin (should have at least used a bank for interest)
• Trusted with little = trusted with much
• Those with will be given more; those with none will loose everything
• Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey in praise
• Jesus prayed over Jerusalem's future for they didn't recognize God's good salvation
• Jesus turned the tables/den of robbers and threw them out of the temple; He taught in the temple daily
• Some leaders wanted to kill Jesus but didn't know how because so many listened
• Leaders question Jesus' authority
• A farmer leaves his vineyard for others to work and they hurt and kill the people that went to collect his share
• Spies tried to trick jess into saying something so they could turn Him in
• Do we pay taxes? Give Cesar what is his and God what is His.
• Try to trick Jesus again by asking about marriage for a 7x widow in heaven
• Christ is not the Son of David
• Jesus warns to beware of some teachers
• Rich give what they don't need, poor woman with 2 coins gave all she had
• Keep the faith in trails and persecution for your beliefs; it is an opportunity to share Jesus
• When Jerusalem is destroyed, run to the mountains and it will be hard
• When the son of man comes in a cloud in glory, look up in freedom coming
• Earth and sky will go, but never God's word
• Always be ready for Jesus and pray for strength
• Satan enters Judas and he agreed to turn Jesus over for money when he was away from the crowd
• Jesus followers prepare the Passover and they share it together
• Lord's supper takes place with the cup and the bread
• Jesus tells His followers someone will turn against Him
• Don't loose your faith, but before the rooster crows 3x Peter will deny Jesus
• Be prepared for trouble
• Jesus takes His followers to pray, but they fall asleep and He prays passionately alone in sweat and earnest for strength, but God's will to take place, not His
• Judas leads them to arrest Jesus
• Peter denies Jesus 3x
• They make fun of Jesus, but finds no problems
• Pilate, the Roman governor, question Jesus, but finds no problems
• Pilate sent Jesus to Herod who questioned Jesus but Jesus didn't answer; they made fun of Him and sent him back to Pilate
• Pilate and Herod had been enemies but became friends that day (both found no fault with Jesus)
• Pilate was going to punish and release Jesus but the crowd wanted crucifiction and a free Barabbas; Pilate asked 3x before he handed him over
• Simon from Cyrene helped carry Jesus cross
• Jesus is crucified with two other criminals one of them believed, one did not
• Jesus dies after 3 hours of darkness mid day and the temple curtain tears in tow
• A Jewish leader who hadn't been against Jesus took his body to a new tomb
• Women went to care for Jesus body but why are you looking for the living among the dead? - reminded of what Jesus taught and went and told disciples
• Jesus appeared to the followers and they were scared and amazed and happy
• Jesus showed himself to them so they knew He wasn't a ghost and He ate fish
• Jesus opened their minds to understand
• Jesus went with them to Bethany then left them for heaven; the followers went back to Jerusalem and worshipped and praised and stayed in the temple

A Love Worth Giving

This book walked through the piece of the love chapter in 1 Corinthians and explained in detail and examples what it means to love someone from Jesus standpoint.  It resonated and was a great reminder and learning to dive deep into something that can change how I love in our fallen world.

Mark

• John prepares the way for Jesus, preaches of changed hearts and lives with forgiveness
• People went to John and were baptized
• John live in the wilderness and wore different clothes; he ate honey and locusts
• Preached of someone greater coming
• Jesus comes and is baptized then goes into the desert for 40 days and is tempted by Satan, then the angels take care of Him
• Once John was imprisoned, Jesus went to Galilee preaching, change hearts and lives and believe the Good News
• Jesus told 4 fisherman to follow Him to fish for people (Simon & Andrew, James & John)
• Jesus, teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath, commands an evil spirit out of a man and the news about Jesus spread quickly
• Jesus left the synagogue to Simon & Andrews home where Simon's mother-in-law was sick with a fever, Jesus took her hand, helper her up, the fever left and she served them
• That evening many people gathered to be healed
• Early in the morning, Jesus left, went to a lonely place and prayed
• When his friends found Jesus, He told them they must travel and preach - that is why He came
• Jesus heals a sick man with a skin disease and tells him to quietly go make an offering at the priest, but he tells everyone and Jesus can't enter towns anymore and people come to Him from everywhere
• Jesus went to Capernum to teach and people filled the house to listen
• 4 people carried a paralyzed man there and couldn't get in because of the crowd, so they dug a hole in the roof and lowered him
• Jesus forgave him sins and told him to get up and walk because the teachers of the law were thinking why Jesus was acting like God and forgiving sins (Did He have authority for that or only God?)
• On the way to the lake, Jesus gathered Levi in a tax collector booth to follow Him
• Jesus ate with Levi and tax collectors and sinners; Pharisees questioned this and Jesus said healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick do; He came for sinners
• Pharisees ask why Jesus followers don't fast - no while with the bridegroom, but they will when He is taken away from them
• Jesus and followers picked grain and ate on Sabbath and were criticized, but the Sabbath is to help people and Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath (hunger and others in need cannot be ignored because it is the Sabbath); Sabbath: do good, not evil
• Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath
• So many people came to hear and follow Jesus He had His disciples get a boat He could get on to keep people from crowding against Him
• Jesus chooses His Apostles - wanted them to be with Him, to preach and to send out demons
• Jesus had so many people following Him He couldn't eat
• Teachers of the law claimed Jesus had the evil spirit in Him; Jesus said an evil spirit wouldn't come to chase out evil, a family divided cannot continue
• Do not speak against the Holy Spirit (unforgivable) - calling spirit evil in Jesus
• True family are those who follow God's will
• Planting seed on by the road, rocky ground, thorny weeds, and good ground and it produced crops
• The seeds are like people and the message of God - some produce more than others
• Some will look and not learn, some will listen and not understand, if you learn and understand you come back to Jesus and are forgiven
• Kingdom of God is like person planting seed; the person doesn't know hot it grows night and day
• use what you have, don't hide it
• A mustard seed is small seed and grows great and provides place for birds
• Evening Jesus and followers go across the lake, while Jesus slept a wind came throwing water in the boat and the woke Jesus who calmed the water, He asked his followers why they still had no faith
• A strong man who lives in the burial caves came to Jesus, Jesus removed the evil spirit and they went into the pigs, then drown in the lake
• In a crowd, a woman, bleeding for 12 years and spending all her money to heal it, touches Jesus cloak; Jesus feels the power and looks for her; she falls at His feet
• A synagogue leaders daughter was dying and he sought Jesus, in his home they thought she was dead and laughed at Jesus, so He threw them out and brought her to life
• Jesus preaches in His hometown and few believe Him; He sends out His disciples with only the clothes on their backs to teach and heal
• Herod enjoyed listening to John the Baptist even though some of his teachings bothered him; Herod's wife didn't like John because he told Herod it was wrong to be married to her; Herodias, because she was his brother's wife
• Herodias daughter danced for Herod on his birthday; Herod enjoyed it and promised her much, she asked for John's head on a platter and it was done
• The followers return to tell Jesus of their time teaching and so many people gathered they couldn't eat, they tried to go away to a lonely place to rest by boat, but the people ran ahead and met them there
• Jesus felt sorry for them and taught them; the followers wanted to send them away to eat, but Jesus said freed them with the 5 loaves and 2 fish they had; Jesus blessed it; they fed 5,000 men and had leftovers
• Jesus sent his followers out in the boat and He stayed to send people home and pray in the hills; later He walked on water to them as they struggled to row in a storm in the night, the followers thought He was a ghost then were amazed
• Jesus taught them to obey God's law, not human law - it isn't what enters someone from outside that makes them unclean, but what comes from the mind, those things begin inside (evil, sexual sin, stealing, murder, adultery, greed, etc.)
• Jesus removes a demon from a non-Jewish woman's daughter "even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs"
• Jesus heals a deaf man - He takes him off so they are away from the crowd and heals but tells them not to tell anyone, but they continued telling everyone Jesus was amazing
• Jesus fed 4,000 men with 7 loaves of bread so they could journey home nourished
• Pharisees asked for a miracle as a sign, Jesus said no
• Beware of others teachings, follow God
• Jesus heals a blind man and send him home saying "don't go into town"
• Jesus tells his followers what is going to happen to Him and He corrects Peter when he says not to talk like that
• You must give up your life to follow Jesus
• Jesus, Peter, James and John went up the mountain and Jesus appearance changed, white and bright and he talked with Moses & Elijah, a voice from the cloud claimed Jesus his son
• They returned from the mountain to arguing by ran and welcomed Jesus - arguing because His followers couldn't heal boy with seizures, but Jesus did with prayer
• Jesus seemed frustrated with how little they still believed - the boys father asked Him to help him believe more
• Jesus goes away with followers only to teach them and tells them of His coming death and rising
• On the walk the followers argued among themselves who was the greatest, but Jesus said to be most important you must be last and servant to all and accept children
• If not against Jesus, for him
• Remove temptation and don't lead others astray, but full of salt
• What God joins, man should not separate
• Divorce and remarriage is adultery
• Accept the kingdom of God like a child; let the children come
• A man asks Jesus how to have life forever, Jesus says sell all possessions and give to the poor; the followers ask who them can be saved - people cannot do it, only God can
• Those highest now will be lowest and the lowest will be highest in the future
• On the road to Jerusalem Jesus took his followers aside and told them of His coming beating, death and resurrection
• James and John asked to be on either side of Jesus in glory in the kingdom - Jesus said they cannot as God has prepared that
• Jesus came to serve others and we must too
• A blind man called to Jesus on the road and Jesus healed Him
• Jesus enters Jerusalem on a new colt with coats on the path and praise all around
• Jesus had a tree produce no more because it was fig less when He was hungry - the tree died
• Jesus went to the temple and threw people out for not treating it as a house of prayer
• Leaders question Jesus authority, Jesus asks them who's authority John the Baptist had and they refused to answer after arguing to admit they didn't believe it was God or anger the people who believed him prophet
• A farmer prepared a vineyard then left, at harvest he sent servants to collect but they were all beaten or killed, so then the son went and he too was killed - Jewish leaders knew this was about them and wanted to kill Jesus but were afraid of the people
• Give Cesar what is his and God what is his; Jesus knew they were trying to trap him asking about tax paying
• Sadducees tried to trick Jesus about marriage when they rise from the dead - when we rise we will be like angels in heaven
• Most important command is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind - love your neighbor as yourself
• Christ is not the Son of David - David calls him Lord
• Do not pray, clothes, seek importance to be seen
• Jesus watched the money box in the temple - the woman who gave a penny gave more than the men with riches because she gave all in her poverty
• The temple will be destroyed; wars must happen for the end to come, and earthquakes and famine - like pains in labor before new birth - but the Good News must be shared before this
• Don't worry about words in arrest, they will be given to you (Holy Spirit)
• People will fight with family and hate you for faith, but keep the faith until the end
• Destroying terror will come; it will be short; run for the hills do not grab anything
• Earth and sky will be destroyed but God's word stands forever, only God knows when
• Always be ready
• The leaders were trying to find a plan to kill Jesus but were avoiding the feast for fear of the people rioting
• People will remember the woman who poured expensive perfume (a year's earnings) on Jesus to prepare him for burial - she did what she could
• Judas went to the priest to plan to turn Jesus in - he waited for the best time
• The followers went into the city as Jesus directed and prepared the Passover
• Jesus told them one of them will betray Him
• The Lord's supper happens, bread and wine = body and blood
• Jesus told the followers they will all stumble in their faith, but they denied it - Peter will deny Jesus before the rooster crows 3x
• Jesus prays alone, distressed seeking the 'cup' be removed from Him, but seeking God's will not His - his followers fall asleep
• Judas came and kissed Jesus and he was arrested, a follower cut the eat off the servant of the high priest - the followers all ran away
• A young man in a loin cloth following Jesus was grabbed too, but his cloth fell off and he ran away naked
• Peter followed Jesus from a distance
• The leaders couldn't find Jesus guilty until He claimed to be the Son of God
• Peter denied knowing Jesus and the rooster crowed and denied him again and again and the rooster crowed again; then peter remembered what Jesus said and cried
• Pilate, the governor, questions Jesus, Jesus is quiet
• Pilate tried to free Jesus for Pilate knew they had brought him Jesus in jealousy
• The crowd had Barabbas freed and Jesus sent for crucifixion; Pilate agreed to please the crowd
• Jesus is crucified and people make fun of Him; at noon, for 3 hours, the country became dark; at 3, Jesus asked why God has forsaken Him; Jesus cries out and dies
• The curtain in the temple tore in two when Jesus died
• Women who followed Jesus watched from a distance
• Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for Jesus body to be wrapped and put in a tomb; Pilate was surprised Jesus was dead, but gave him the body
• Mary and Mary Magdalene saw where He was laid
• The women went to the tomb with spices but found the stone rolled away - they had wondered how they would move it
• Inside there was no body of Jesus, only a young man in a white robe telling them Jesus rose and is going to Galilee and to go tell the followers and Peter to meet Him there, but the women ran away and told no one

• Jesus went to Mary Magdalene and then she went and told the followers
•  The followers didn't believe
• Jesus showed himself to 2 followers but when they told the others, they still didn't believe
• Jesus showed himself to His 11 followers and criticized them for not believing, then He told them to go spread the Good News and work miracles
• Then Jesus was carried to heaven at God's right hand

Love on the Line

I had picked this up on a whim at Goodwill and rather enjoyed it.  It was an easy read, and I was only luke warm to it for awhile, but the ending really made me think, which made me like it more.

Of Mess & Moxie

I finished the book a week or so ago.  I didn't love it when I started, but I was a fan by the end.  The humor and relatable real life talk was refreshing and fun.  And I even pulled a couple ideas from it to have my own family start. 

Matthew

• Jesus family tree
• Mary & Joseph are engaged when she becomes pregnant by the Holy Spirit
• Joseph plans to divorce her secretly to not disgrace her publicly, but an angel told him in a dream "don't be afraid," Jesus will save his people from sin
• Joseph & Mary married and named the Baby Jesus
• Wise men saw a star and went to see Jesus via Herod, who wanted to know where Jesus was
• The wise men went home another way away from Herod
• In a dream, an angel told Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt where they stayed until Herod died
• Herod has all baby boys <2 killed="" li="" old="" years="">
• An angel told Joseph to return to Israel once Herod had died, but Joseph was afraid of Juda because of King Archelaus, so they went to Nazareth in Galilee
• John the Baptist preached about Jesus coming, "change your hearts!"
• Joh lived in the wilderness and baptized people that came to him
• Baptize with water to show sins gone and changed, but Jesus will come and baptize with the Holy Spirit
• Jesus went to John to be baptized
• John didn't think he was worth to baptize Jesus, but Jesus said do God's will
• Jesus, led by the spirit, went to the desert for 40 days without food; then Satan tempted him (food, angels, power) but Jesus followed what is written and not Satan - then angels came and took care of him
• Jesus goes to Galilee once John is in prison
• Jesus began preaching and god some followers
• The followers Jesus spoke to come with him immediately and begin following him
• Jesus went everywhere in Galilee teaching and healing - news spread, people came for healing to Him and followed Him
• Evil has been happening to people for years
• God will comfort all, the Kingdom belongs to those who know the have spiritual need
• Jesus teaches
• Be salt and light; don't loose you and be a light to others
• Jesus didn't destroy the law, but fulfilled it - follow the law and teach others
• Not only is murder bad, but so are anger and saying bad things about others
• Befriend your enemies in court so you don't go to jail
• Adultery is wrong, but so is lust; your mind has already committed the sin
• Divorce only if woman cheats
• Be careful in our promises and don't swear an oath
• If a person asks for something, do it; don't refuse someone who asks to borrow from you
• Love your enemies
• Sun and rain come to those who do good and bad
• Be nice to all people, even evil people are nice to their friends
• Do our giving in secret
• Pray in private
• Lord's prayer
• Fast, give up eating, in secret - God will see it all and reward you; don't do it for Earthly show for people to see
• Your heart will be where your treasure is
• Your eyes are the light for your body
• You cannot serve both God and money
• God will take care of you, worrying won't
• See God's kingdom first
• Don't worry about tomorrow
• You will be judged as you judge others
• Ask and ye shall receive
• Do onto others as you want done to you
• The gate and road to hell is wide, heaven's is narrow
• Know false prophets by what they do
• Build your "house" on rock, not sand
• Jesus taught with authority, not like other teachers
• Jesus heals a sick man with a skin disease and tells him not to tell people but go to the priest and make an offering
• Jesus heals a Roman soldier's servant without going to him house; the soldier had faith Jesus could do it without going to His servant
• Jesus healed Peter's mother in law and she got up and served them
• Jesus calms a storm when his followers wake him in fear; He commands the wind and waves
• Jesus sent demons out of 2 men into pigs nearby as the demons asked, but the pigs then ran down a hill to water and drown - then the town asked Jesus to leave
• People brought a paralyzed man to Jesus on a mat; Jesus forgave him sins and teachers of the law accused him of blasphemy in their small group, but Jesus knew their thoughts and told the paralyzed man to stand up and go home
• Jesus chooses Matthew from a tax collector's booth and east with other sinners and tax collectors, not the good
• Jesus is asked why His followers don't fast like the Pharisees, but they are with Jesus; when he is taken away, they will fast
• Jesus clothes are touched by a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years and is healed; Jesus says: you are well because you believed
• Jesus brings a dead girl to life after the funeral party is thrown out
• Jesus heals 2 blind men and they run and tell people even though Jesus told them not to tell people
• Jesus healed a mute man from his demon and he could speak; Pharisees said his power is from the prince of demons
• Jesus felt sorry for the people, hurting and helpless; pray for workers to gather the harvest of people
• Jesus gave him disciples authority to drive out evil spirits and heal sickness
• Simon (Peter), Andrew (Simon's brother), James, John (James' brother), Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (tax collector), James, Thaddaeus, Simon, Judas Iscariot
• Sent apostles out to heal freely in Jewish Israel; they were to go without money, bag, other clothes or sandals - they were to be given what they needed - if unwelcome, leave
• Apostles be careful among "wolves," you will be hated
• Don't fear people, only God, only He can destroy the soul
• Jesus must be #1 above your parents and children; true life will mean giving up our ways
• John the Baptist, from prison, sent his followers to Jesus; Jesus told his followers to tell John of the miracles
• Jesus said John the Baptist is greater than any person ever born, but still not as great as the least important in the kingdom of heaven
• People didn't like John or Jesus with their different ways (John ate and drank differently. Jesus was opposite in that he ate and drank too much and friended sinners and tax collectors.)
• Jesus tells those who don't believe it will be bad
• No one knows God without Jesus
• Jesus will give rest
• Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath; He wants kindness more than animal sacrifices
• Humans more important than sheep
• Lawful to do good on the Sabbath
• Jesus power comes from God
• If you aren't with Jesus, you are against
• Cannot be forgiven for speaking against the Holy Spirit
• Your moth speaks what is in your heart
• Your words will be used for you on judgement day as they are your responsibility
• Evil and sinful people want to see miracle signs
• When an evil spirit leave, it finds no other please; so it comes back with more - the person has more trouble than before
• True family are those who do what God wants
• Jesus used stories to teach
• Those who understand stories will be given more, some cannot understand them
• Seed fell on the ground by the road, rocks in weed and in good soil - some plans produced more than others
• Seeds are like people who hear Jesus stories:
• Seed by road: hears story but doesn't understand
• Rocky ground: hears, accepts, doesn't take deep into life
• weeds: hears, but let's worry and temptation rule
• good soil: bear fruit; hears and understands
• Man planted wheat in his field, enemy planted weeds during the night; servant asked if they should pull them, not until harvest so we don't loose wheat; then pull weeds to burn, then harvest the wheat
• Kingdom of heaven like mustard seed, small seed - big plant
• Kingdom of heave like years hidden in dough making it rise
• Seeds and weeds explained: seed planter is son of man; field is world; seed is God's children; planter is devil; harvest is end of the world; workers gathering at harvest are angels
• Man found a great treasure in the field, rehid it and sold everything to buy the field
• Kingdom of heaven is like fine pearls; when you find it, give up everything for it
• Fisherman sort out the bad fish in their catch, so will the angels at the end of the world, only it will be people
• Jesus goes to his hometown and they know his family and are skeptical of his wisdom
• Prophet is honored everywhere except his hometown; few miracles there; they had little faith
• Herod beheaded John the Baptist for Herodias' daughter who danced for Herod on his birthday - Herod liked the dancing and promised her anything in front of his guests; she asked for John's head on a platter
• Herod didn't like John, but let him live until then because people thought he was a prophet
• Jesus went to be alone at the news of John, but many followed; the followers wanted to send them away but Jesus said feed them
• Jesus blessed the 5 loaves and 2 fish and they feed 5,000 men plus women and children with 12 baskets leftover
• A touch of Jesus coat healed
• Jesus walked on water to the followers boat after praying alone
• Peter also walked on water with Jesus, but sinking began when doubt crept in and Jesus saved him
• Obey with your heart, not just your words
• Your words make you clean or unclean
• Jesus helped a non-Jewish woman because she had great faith
• Jesus heals people and people are amazed
• Jesus has people following him for 3 days and he wants to feed them before they go home; Jesus blesses the food and feeds 4,000 men plus women and children with 7 loaves of bread and a few fish, with leftovers
• Pharisees and Sadducees ask for a miracle from Jesus; Jesus says only evil and sinful ask for a sign
• Beware of teaching of Pharisees and Sadducees
• God let Peter know Jesus was Christ, not because someone taught him that, so Jesus says Peter will build the church
• Jesus tell his followers He must suffer and die; Peter says don't talk like that, but that doesn't help Jesus
• We must give our lives up to follow Jesus; the whole world means nothing if we loose our soul
• Jesus goes up a mountain with Peter, James and John talks with Moses and Elijah, a voice came down proclaiming Jesus his son and the 3 disciples were afraid
• Elijah has come and wasn't recognized and did what they wanted with Him and they will with son of man too (John the Baptist)
• Jesus tells followers He will be killed, but 3 days later He will rise
• Other pay taxes, not King's children but Jesus sent Peter to fish and the First fish would have a coin to pay taxes at the temple for Jesus and Peter
• Do not cause children to sin; remove what causes you to sin
• A shepherd leaves 99 sheep to find one lost; God doesn't want any children to be lost
• Approach people privately who have wronged you; if they don't see them, bring 1 or 2 people with you, if they still refuse tell the church and treat them like a tax collector; if they listen, they are your brother or sister again
• Divorce only if wife slept with other men
• If you can marry, you should accept the teaching about marriage
• Jesus welcomes children
• A marriage united by God should not be separated
• Forgive more than 7 time, 77 times
• A servant couldn't pay and begged time to pay, master waived debit, but the servant refused to forgive debts owed to him, so he was jailed
• Show mercy to others as you received from Jesus
• If you want to be perfect, go and sell your possessions and give money to the poor; then your treasure is in heaven
• Hard for rick to go to heaven
• Low will be high; high will be low
• A vineyard hired workers at different time throughout the day, he paid each worker one coin regardless of the time they were hired, workers were angry
• Vineyard owner was good to all
• The last will be first, the first will be last
• Jesus says he will die and raise again
• A mother ask Jesus to put her sons at His right hand and left hand; they cannot for the father has prepared those for people
• Jesus came to serve others and give His life for them
• Jesus healed 2 blind men who yelled to him from the side of the road and ten they followed Jesus
• Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey while people lay out coats and branches for them to walk on; excitement (Palm Sunday)
• Jesus went to the temple, turned some tables and said the temple was a house for worship not robbers
• People came to Jesus in the temple and were healed
• Priests and teachers were angry at wonderful things and praise
• Jesus left the city to Bethany for the night before he returned to the city in the morning
• Jesus shows the power of faith, dries up a fig tree that didn't have fruit for him
• Leaders doubted Jesus authority
• Two sons don't obey their father, change ways and believe
• Farmer leases his land and sends 3 groups of people to collect his share, but all are killed
• The kingdom of heaven will be given to those who do what God wants
• A beautiful gift has been given, but if abused will be taken away
• A king threw a party (wedding feast) but people were too busy with other things to come, so everyone in the street were invited (good and bad); (King was upset some weren't dressed well) as with the kingdom of heaven, many are invited, few will come
• Pharisees ask Jesus if it is right to pay taxes; Jesus says give Cesar what is his (Cesar is on the coin) and God what is His
• You don't understand because you don't know the scriptures (Sadducees tried to trick Jesus)
• Pharisees again tried to trick Jesus; what law is the most important they ask? "love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind" then "love your neighbor as you love yourself"
• Jesus asks the Pharisees a question they can't answer; they were then no longer brave enough to question Jesus
• Do what the teachers and Pharisees say, not what they do; they live for show and importance; they stop others from the true teaching, not help others
• you shouldn't call people teacher, master or Father for those titles belong to Jesus and God
• Important teachings: justice, mercy and being loyal
• Clean your inside (heart) first, then outside will truly be clean
• The temple will be destroyed, Jesus said
• Evil will grow in the world, people will stop showing love
• A time of terror will come and Judeans will run to the mountains
• Beware of false prophets and Christs
• Son of Man will appear in the sky in power and glory and trumpets will sound to send angels for the chosen people
• Earth and sky will be destroyed, Jesus words will never be destroyed
• Only God knows when Jesus will come again; people will be carrying on as usual when Jesus come
• Always be ready, you won't expect Jesus coming
• Let Jesus return to find you doing well in love
• Bridesmaids, some came prepared with extra oi, some did not for their lamps and missed the party; so always be ready for Jesus to come
• 3 servants are given bags of gold, 5, 2 and 1 - 2 servants invested and doubled the gold given to them, 1 buried it in the ground and accused the master of gathering crops he didn't plant; master threw that servant out (given different amounts based on their abilities)
• What you do for others you do fro God; what you don't do for others is also for God (what we refused for those in need)
• Jesus knows He will be handed over to His enemies the day of the Passover Feast, but after the meal to not cause a riot
• A woman put perfume of Jesus before His body's torture to prep for burial and people complained of the money wasted
• We will always have the poor, but we won't always have Jesus in the human form
• Judas received money to turn Jesus in
• Jesus eats Passover meal with disciples and tells them 1 will betray him; Judas
• Jesus broke bread as his body; shred the cup as his blood for forgiveness of sins
• Jesus tells disciples they will all stumble in faith, but I will go ahead of you to Galilee when I rise from the dead
• Jesus prays alone, disciples fall asleep 3 times; Jesus prays in body's weakness in turmoil of what He is about to face, but does with for God's will, not His own way
• Judas brings the people to Jesus and kisses Him; Jesus is arrested; a disciple cut off a high priest's servant's ear; Jesus tell him to put it away for He could have angels but must follow God's will; the followers ran away
• Jesus goes before the leaders, but they can find no reason to kill Him until He says the Son of Man will sit at the right hand of God
• Peter denies being with Jesus 3 times in the courtyard (they knew him by his talk/speaking)
• Early the next morning, Jesus is sent to die and turned over to Pilate, the governor
• Judas, realizing he turned Jesus over to death, has regret and hangs himself after trying to return the silver coins
• Priest wouldn't use coins in temple because they paid for death, but bought a field to bury the strangers who died there
• Pilate questions Jesus, but Jesus stays quiet with the accusing
• Pilate presents Jesus or Barabbas to be freed as Passover tradition; Pilate's wife sent a message not to harm innocent Jesus for she had a dream, but the people released Barabbas and Pilate washed his hands of the death of Jesus (he was holding the people responsible)
• People turned Jesus in because of jealousy
• Jesus was beaten, spat on and mocked and crucified (He heals others and can't heal himself, people said.)
• At noon, the sky fell dark for 3 hours until Jesus died "my God, my God, why have you rejected me?"
• The curtain in the temple tore in 2, earthquake, and God's people were raised from the dead
• Jesus women followers were watching from a distance
• A rich man named Joseph asked Pilate for Jesus body and placed it in a new tomb with a large rock covering it
• Mary Magdalene and Mary were sitting neat there
• Leading priests and Pharisees went to Pilate to have the tomb guarded so no one falsely proclaims He rose by stealing his body
• Mary Magdalene and Mary went to the tom day 3 and there was an earthquake and an angel that shook fear in the guards and sent the Marys to tell the followers Jesus is risen and go to Galilee
• Soldiers went to the priests with the news and priest paid the soldiers to lie that Jesus followers stole the body during the night
• Jesus sees his followers, some doubt, and He tells them to baptize and make disciples of people

Entering the Passion of Jesus

This was a great read leading up to Lent about Holy Week.  It took some focus and thinking through so much rich Jewish tradition and the stories told from multiple gospels, but was rich in understanding and explaining Holy Week.