My Online Faith Journal

      Recently, I posted a message on a forum to discuss the passage in Matthew 21 where Jesus curses a fig tree.  It always seemed odd to me that he would do that.  When the disciples see the tree later they see that it has quickly withered and then ask Jesus how that happened.  He goes on to talk to them about faith.  Some on the forum I have been involved in suggested that this is also a parable about the importance of bearing fruit.  (see Matthew 21:18-24)     I'm not sure that that is the main focus or point, but it certainly is true.  It is expected of us as believers to bear fruit.  John 15:2 says "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."  So, what type of fruit are we to bear?      I think one evidence of the Spirit at work in our lives is the ability to control our tongues.  James talks about this extensively.  We have the ability, even as christians, to use o

    I hope everyone who is reading this had a good Easter.  I just wanted to share some thoughts about our Easter service this past Sunday.  We went to a church that is non-denominational that we have been to several times in the area.  Though we had not been to that particular church in about 6 weeks.      This is a church that has a traditional service and then a more contemporary service at 11 am.  On this particular morning, because it was Easter we started at 10:30 am.  Most of the service was music, which was loud and contemporary.  I like contemporary music, but knew only one song out of all the ones he used.  The pastor himself spoke for less than 10 minutes, possibly less than 5, I did not time him. I felt after leaving that I did not attend a service, but a concert.  The pastor who preaches less than 5 minutes should be ashamed of himself.  People come to hear the word.  I know he would say you heard the word in music, but there is a difference.    The one thing I did en

"Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soliders wove a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and arrayed Him in a purple robe."  John 19:1-2      Have you ever thought about why the soliders treated Jesus the way they did?  Pilate asked Jesus in John 18:33 "are you king of the Jews?"  Pilate got this question from the Pharisees and Sadducees and they're accusations against Jesus.  The claim that they made that finally made some head way with Pilate was they're claim of treason.  They stated that Jesus was making himself out to be bigger that Caesar.  So, Pilate questions Jesus expecting him to deny this. The question in verse 33 is a rhetorical one.  He doesn't really expect Jesus to answer.  He begins to get flustered at Jesus and then finally says, "What have you done?"  In other words, how in the words How did you get these people so mad at you?     So, Jesus words about his kingdom must have come as quite a shock

     If you really examined my prayer life lately, you would have to say that it is "spotty" at best.  At times, I have had long periods of time where I don't pray that much and other times where that seems that is all I do.  And if we are going to be totally honest about it, I am not all that patient when it comes to answered prayer.  I mean that actual part where you rest and give God time to answer.  I am much more likely to try and produce a result or two on my own. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8    So, passages like in Matthew 7 which tell us to ask, seek and knock are not my favorite passages.  That is because the asking, seeking and knocking are words that are used to describe consistent, active, persistent action.  It is not just a polite knock and then sit back and wa

   I am not sure what is the matter with me lately.  I had two issues at work with clients that needed to be resolved as soon as possible.  They really have been wearing on my mind.  I prayed about it on the way to work today because one of these issues was rsolved yesterday, yet another had to be resolved soon.  I was anxious because I didn't see a way to resolve the issues except to bring all parties to the table to try and hash out an answer.    We met for about an hour and a half this morning and the issue has been resolved, at least I  hope it has been.  We will continue to monitor the situation.  I came home and took a nap because I felt physically beat down after 3 hours of CFT meetings in less than a day (Child and Family Team Meetings).  Not to mention that though I have been working in mental health for about 3.5 years now, out of home placements are not my specialty.  At least I do not yet have the experience with it that I do with some other situations.  That's ok