War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. Revelation 12:7-8 A war broke out in heaven, we are told in today’s passage from Revelation. The archangel, Michael, and…
Looking up to heaven, [Jesus] sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Mark 7:34-35 This Sunday’s gospel reading (Mark 7:24-37) offers us two well-known miracle stories. And I want to look at them in the reverse order, starting…
The Pharisees and the scribes asked [Jesus], “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” Mark 7:5 I am sure that we have all been told to wash our hands before coming to dinner. Maybe we were even taught to sing “Happy Birthday” while washing…
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power; put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11 This is the last in my sermon series on Paul's letter to the Ephesians. I have been looking at…
My Pastoral Ponderings 