CAN IT MEAN TWO THINGS?Wrestling with Scripture #30
This week, let’s look at two more parables: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid;...
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Laurie Norlander
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lnorlander
Apr 154 min
EASY TO BE HARD: Wrestling with Scripture #29
Last week we looked at the first of seven parables that Jesus began with the words “the kingdom of heaven is like …” Although the...
lnorlander
Apr 84 min
HIDE AND SEEK: Wrestling with Scripture #28
Immediately after the Parable of the Soils from last week, Jesus tells another agricultural story, the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares...
lnorlander
Apr 14 min
THE GOOD EARTH: Wrestling with Scripture #27
Since parables are told in simple stories, we often assume they’re simple to understand—but that’s not always the case. Since one good...
lnorlander
Mar 254 min
HEARING AIDS: Wrestling with Scripture #26
Jesus often taught in parables—a brief story using relatable characters and familiar activities to illustrate a deeper moral or spiritual...
lnorlander
Mar 184 min
ON PURPOSE: Wrestling with Scripture #25
Years ago, an older co-worker occasionally asked me to explain the meaning of life. At the time, I didn’t have a particularly good answer...
lnorlander
Mar 114 min
THINK LESS: Wrestling with Scripture #24
In Philippians 2:3, Paul says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.”...
lnorlander
Mar 44 min
BE PREPARED: Wrestling with Scripture #23
My Lutheran and Catholic friends might be surprised to learn that other denominations typically don’t observe Lent, and those who attend...
lnorlander
Feb 264 min
THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES: Wrestling with Scripture #22
Unless you’ve read through the front matter in your Bible, you may wonder why the word Lord is sometimes presented in all capital letters...
lnorlander
Feb 194 min
WHERE’S THE LOVE? Wrestling with Scripture #21
A Christian friend was asked recently if she thought God was angry with the horrible things happening in the world today. She wasn’t sure...
lnorlander
Feb 124 min
TO BE OR NOT TO BE: Wrestling with Scripture #20
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:10). If you’ve hung with me...
lnorlander
Feb 54 min
WAR AND PEACE: Wrestling with Scripture #19
Matthew 5:9 states “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Wow. What can possibly compare to the privilege of...
lnorlander
Jan 294 min
PURE RELIGION: Wrestling with Scripture #18
This week we come to “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Although we may serve in our churches, give...
lnorlander
Jan 144 min
WHAT ARE YOU STREAMING? Wrestling with Scripture #17
Our look at the Beatitudes has shown how each truth builds on the previous one and can be seen as a progression of our spiritual...
lnorlander
Jan 84 min
BE RIGHT—OR BE LEFT: Wrestling with Scripture #16
If we continue to see the Beatitudes as a progression of instructions, then Matthew 5:6 (“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for...
lnorlander
Jan 14 min
ESTATE PLANNING: Wrestling with Scripture #15
Our look at the Beatitudes has shown that mourning is a natural response to an awareness of our spiritual poverty and the darkness of our...
lnorlander
Dec 25, 20233 min
CHRISTMAS MOURNING: Wrestling with Scripture #14
In Matthew 5:3, Jesus speaks a blessing over those who are poor in spirit. In Luke 4:18-21, He announces that He has fulfilled Isaiah’s...
lnorlander
Dec 18, 20234 min
WAKE UP CALL: Wrestling with Scripture #13
Many of us probably have at least one Bible in which all the words of Jesus are printed in red letters, a device intended to highlight...
lnorlander
Dec 11, 20234 min
PAST THE SALT: Wrestling with Scripture #12
A Christian friend recently admitted she found the story of Lot unsettling. She certainly isn’t alone! You remember the story. When...
lnorlander
Dec 4, 20233 min
WORDS MATTER: Wrestling with Scripture #11
If asked to sum up the Christian faith, many of us would immediately think of John 3:16 and for good reason. It’s an incredible verse....
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