Although the grass frozen by frost looks crunchy, I found that in California the grass may still be supple. The woman who honored Jesus with a foot bath of tears was known as a sinner. What Simon the Pharisee missed in his judgment of her actions (and Jesus’ willingness to accept them) was the difference between knowledge and love. Knowledge puffs up but love builds up. Before passing judgment, may we ask Lord for your discernment and love.- Teresa

#welcomingthetouchof”untouchables”

#thankfulthatHepursuedme

#honoringHimwhopaidmyhell

Luke 7: 36-50 (ESV)

36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among[a] themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The Lord is a master of time. According to the author of Ecclesiastes, there is a time to be born, a time to be given in marriage, and a time to eventually die. The physician, Luke, portrays in this passage the bleakness of mourning as the man’s time for death had arrived, Jesus showed compassion to the widow who culturally had no means to care for her physical needs. Her only son was most likely the source of her livelihood. When Jesus told her, “do not weep”, he reminds all of us that there is hope in the midst of life’s adversity. – Teresa #resurrectionpower #faithwillmovethemountain #doitagainbyElevationworship

Luke 7:11-17 (ESV)

11 Soon afterward[a] he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus[b] gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” 17 And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.

My husband read a book about space and the blessings of gravity. Not only does gravity keep pressure on our bones to prevent osteoporosis but it keeps liquids in a bowl or cup! One of my first classes in seminary was called creative Bible teaching. My sermon included a balloon and a rock. It reminded me of this passage. Things of the world will disappear. Lighter than air, they are not weighty or important. Kabod or the glory of God (indicative of His presence) is weighty and meaningful.* He will always be an important part of our existence, now and eternally. -Teresa

Psalm 62: 9, 10 (ESV)

9Those of low estate are but a breath;

those of high estate are a delusion;

in the balances they go up;

they are together lighter than a breath.

10 

Put no trust in extortion;

set no vain hopes on robbery;

if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

*Dr.David Eckman, Hebrew professor, Western Seminary.

As skeptics, we ask for all the cupboard doors to be opened to examine the evidence. The angel Gabriel only opened one door for Zecharaiah, the fact that Elizabeth would bear a son who would be filled with the power and spirit of Elijah. John the Baptist was conceived in an atmosphere of mute skepticicism or should I say dumbfounded wonder? For Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, was sent to deliver this message of hope to one who didn’t see the story as we do (with 20/20 hindsight). Zechariah, without knowing how the prophecy would end, may not have believed Gabriel’s words but he did repent and rejoice at God’s plan that included his family. – Teresa #includedinkingdomwork

Luke 1:18-25 (ESV)

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

In our backyard, the Santa Rosa plum tree is blossoming. This new life points to a joyful hope of spring. When children are given the opportunity to trust in Jesus, their childlike faith amazes the most hardened skeptic. From their fresh perspective, we see hope of springtime and refreshment in our world. Kept away from the Savior, these same young lives will only mirror the hopelessness of a culture that is self- absorbed. – Teresa #cyberbullies vs. #unhinderedtrust #theirsisthekingdomofGod

Mark 10: 13-16 (ESV)

13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.