Priceless is Released

Tom Davis has released his latest novel in his “Novel at the Edge of the World Series”, Priceless.. I’ve pre-ordered my Kindle version for download on June 1. You can order from Amazon now. I’ve reviewed a couple Tom Davis’ books that I highly recommend. His books shine a light on the Spirit of Compassion and challenge you to get off the sidelines and engage the social injustice in the world.  Below is a trailer for his book.

[video type="youtube" id="JjWWZRG14XE" width="400"]Default Message[/video]

Stay Awake

Do you ever get to the end of the day and wonder where the day went? Or, how about the weeks, or months, or years? Sometimes I feel like I am sleep walking through life. Everyday is a similar routine. They're not bad days, just routine days.

What we see and hear matters

A man is defiled by what come out of him, not by what goes into him. Jesus is concerned about our hearts. He makes this point throughout the Gospels. The Beatitudes are an example where he equates anger to murder and lust to adultery. Whether or not you actually physically commit murder or adultery, is not any more important to God than if you desire these sins in your heart.

My hardened heart

The twelve apostles had just returned from an awesome mission trip. They had seen the power that God had given them at work so that God cast out demons and healed diseases through them. Jesus wanted them to get away, perhaps so they could decompress and reflect on the power of God that they had experienced firsthand. Unfortunately, their retreat was caught short as the crowds followed them on foot and met them when they got to shore. This sets up another miracle for Jesus as he feeds the 5000 men (plus however many women and children) with just five loaves and two fish. After this, the disciples see Jesus walk on water, and calm the wind.

The unforgivable sin

So why were the Pharisees so upset about good being done on the Sabbath? I don’t think the issue is really the fact that Jesus is healing a man on the Sabbath as much as he is challenging their authority as enforcers of the law. Jesus has already told and showed them that he has authority to forgive sins, blasphemy if he is not God. However, his claim is not without evidence as he heals the paralytic.

Jesus did not come to call the righteous

In the Mark 2:17, Jesus makes an interesting statement. He says that he did not come to call the righteous but to call the sinners. What did he mean by this?

Does this mean it is better to be a sinner than to be righteous? Not likely.

He seems to be separating the Pharisees out from the sinners he was hanging with. However, was he inferring that the Pharisees were righteous and did not need him? Certainly he considered the Pharisees as much sinners as as anyone as he continually confronts their hypocrisy and even calls them sons of the devil or sinners. In any case, aren't we all sinners? So what did Jesus mean?

Did he mean that he came to call on those who knew they were sinners and not for those that think they are righteous? Aren't we all righteous in our own eyes until called by Christ to him?

Why do you seek Jesus

So why did Jesus head out to a desolate place to pray alone? Just prior to this he spent the day healing people and casting out demons. It is interesting to think about what is not mentioned. It does not say that many came to hear his message. They came to be physically healed.

My Proverbs 31 Woman

Sunday we celebrate Mother's day. I have an awesome mom. I know my brother and I gave her way more grief than she deserved, but she never failed to continue to love us, and guide us, and even bail us out a time or two.

Knowing what my Mom had to deal with is what amazes me even more about my own Proverbs 31 woman, my beautiful bride, my queen, my Amanda.