Church is not a good idea – it’s God’s idea! Jesus spoke of building His church (community) in Matthew 16:18ff. The Scriptures also speak of this community being purchased by God (Acts 20:28). If church is this important to the Father and the Son, surely it will be to us. Okay, but what exactly is church?Continue reading “Connecting with Church (1)”
Author Archives: A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green
Caring as Community
Our church has four words for its motto: welcoming, caring, seeking, sharing. They represent values we hold dear because they reflect our understanding of what God wants us to be. What does it mean to care? It means more than to feel a certain way. It is also more than performing good deeds for others. To care is toContinue reading “Caring as Community”
Being a Woman is a Wonderful Thing (2)
Most of us remember Mo’ne Davis. She took the world by storm as she led her Philadelphia team to the Little League World Series as a thirteen-year old in 2014. Mo’ne was a pitcher and she threw hard (as a lot of players do at that age). What impressed me was she also knew howContinue reading “Being a Woman is a Wonderful Thing (2)”
Being a Woman is a Wonderful Thing (1)
Janice and I are blessed with two adult daughters and one granddaughter. We also have an adult son and four grandsons, but this little piece is not about the boys—it is all about the girls. It should pain our hearts deeply whenever women are mistreated—all the way from a failure to be recognized and appreciatedContinue reading “Being a Woman is a Wonderful Thing (1)”
Community
A Crime Against the Church A Day at the Zoo and Buyer’s Remorse A Little Love A Tree in the Rocks Being a Woman is a Wonderful Thing (1) Being a Woman is a Wonderful Thing (2) Brand Names and Brotherhood Building the Patience Bridge Caring as Community Celebrities or Servants? Communion Thoughts Community andContinue reading “Community”
What Sets Us Free
“Truth” is a big word in the Scripture (and life), so it’s no surprise that we find John employing the word a number of times in his gospel (23). Fittingly, he initially uses it to tell us that Jesus is “full of grace and truth” (1:14). There was veracity in the covenant that God brought through Moses, but theContinue reading “What Sets Us Free”
We Have Seen His Glory
After Israel had completed construction of the tabernacle, “the glory of the Lord” filled it (Ex. 40:34), providing the nation the occasion to once again witness the greatness of God. So majestic was the Lord’s glory that Moses was unable to enter the tabernacle (v. 35)! Wherever Israel went, God’s glory went with them (v.Continue reading “We Have Seen His Glory”
To Believe or not to Believe
In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don’t. It was the French mathematician and philosopher, Blaise Pascal, who spoke those words. They call to our attention to something that is too often overlooked—God doesn’t force faith on anyone. Nobody is overwhelmed into believingContinue reading “To Believe or not to Believe”
They Missed It!
John offers more to us about the “funeral” of Lazarus than just his resurrection (though who would wish to minimize the significance of that?). He tells us about two different responses people had to this great miracle of Jesus. One reaction is not surprising; but the other is as disappointing as it is difficult to comprehend.Continue reading “They Missed It!”
The Possibility of Glory
After Judas has left to betray Him, John tells us that Jesus begins to speak to His disciples of His coming death (13:31ff). It’s a lengthy, intimate conversation that stretches across three chapters. But maybe the most remarkable thing is how it begins. Jesus starts by telling them that His death is an occasion of glory. He usesContinue reading “The Possibility of Glory”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 