Sermon: “What Is the Kingdom of God Like?”

(Click HERE for MP3 sermon audio.)

Texts: Luke 13:10-21; Luke 14:1-14

Last Sabbath’s sermon discussed the narrow door of Luke 13:22-30 and Jesus’ announcement about who would and who wouldn’t be found in the coming Kingdom of God.

Today’s sermon looks at the chiastic material preceding and following last Sabbath’s passage to paint in a bit more of the nature of the kingdom Jesus announced. This sermon looks at the various motifs found in the chiastic material: Sabbath, healing, deliverance, humility, and invitations to the eschatological banquet. The integration of these motifs is key in interpreting and understanding the nature of the Kingdom of God, and how radically different Jesus’ depiction of it is when compared to the accepted understandings of the kingdom at that time. The gospel commission is to continue proclamation and demonstration of the true nature of God’s kingdom.

What a difference a rice cooker makes!

Sometime this morning our new rice cooker showed up. I set out immediately to cook a pot of rice. About an hour later it was done. I opened it up, began to stir, and immediately noticed a huge difference in the result between it and our old rice cooker: in the new the rice was not nearly as “wet” and it was much more of an al dente texture.

I put some into a bowl and it seemed more fragrant than with the previous cooker. When I placed some into my mouth it seemed sweeter and definitely had a better texture to it.

The rice itself is the same – it’s from a 50 lb. bag sold at Costco. But how it’s cooked makes a noticeable difference in the end result. The new rice cooker makes a much better rice.

‘Tis the season to shovel snow

Current short-term weather forecast: “Areas of heavy snow near Petersburg will begin tapering off by noon with additional snow accumulation up to 2 inches.”

That was indeed the case. It snowed an inch or two overnight and I went out to shovel the driveway. As soon as I came back in the heavy snow started to fall and a couple of hours later I was back out shoveling the driveway.

The forecast for the next couple of days continue to include snow with the most snowfall around Petersburg. It looks like I will be getting my share of upper body exercise.

Sermon: Who Shrunk the Door?

(Click HERE for MP3 sermon audio.)

Text: Luke 13:22-30 ; Isaiah 25:6-9

This week takes a look at another passage (Luke) where Jesus speaks of entering through a narrow portal – this time, a door. The door is spoken of in connection with the eschatological banquet in the kingdom of God. When the entire passage is examined, however, there seems to be quite a few people who enter into the kingdom. So what did Jesus mean when he said the door was narrow? Who shrunk the door? The passage in Isaiah and the reinterpretations of it found in the intertestamental period provide clues that point toward a possible answer.

Winter Mountain

Petersburg Mountain this morning.

First significant snow

I awoke past midnight due to discomfort from whatever illness I am suffering. I looked out the window and discovered that snow had been falling and accumulating since I had gone to bed.

These are very grainy and were converted to monochrome as I shot them handheld at ISO 1600 and underexposed by some 4 or 5 stops.

Winter is here

Today the precipitation from the sky is a wintry mix of rain and a bit of snow. Temperature is hovering just a couple of degrees above freezing.

I continue to suffer from what appears to be a cold. Salt water gargle seems to be the only thing that alleviates the throat pain that I have.

Shelley also had something yesterday, but was well enough today to return to school.

Since yesterday was Veterans Day the DMV (among other offices) was closed. I went to the DMV and the insurance company this morning to register our second car and insure it.

Evening update: There was a period of a few minutes when it was just snow and the ground got a dusting of it.

We have a new, very old car

Last night one of our friends from church gave us their 20-year old Toyota station wagon. They have a whole bunch of electric vehicles on their property they are selling, and part of the reason for parting with their gasoline powered vehicle was to make a little more room available.

I have to go to the DMV to register the transfer, pay for a new registration, and then to the insurance company to add the vehicle to our insurance.