Posts from October 2014 (Page 2)

The Overflow

By Campus Missionary Mary Rowley Based on Psalm 23 Psalm 23 is one of those passages that all Christians know. It’s comforting in trying times and encouraging during hardship. As I look at it today, attempting to see the familiar words with fresh eyes, what strikes me is not only that God provides for us,…

Amazing Feast

By Campus Missionary Mary Rowley Based on Isaiah 25:6-9 When I think of a feast, the first thing that comes to mind is Thanksgiving. Typically, my parents and I get together with our extended family and have a delicious Midwestern meal – ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, a variety of casseroles, and my aunt’s…

Perfect Paul

By Campus Missionary Mary Rowley – Based on Philippians 3:4b-14 Paul had every right to hold himself high in the eyes of God. After all, he was a perfect Jew: circumcised according to custom, from the tribe of Benjamin, a law-abiding Pharisee, a persecutor of the enemies of the Jewish faith. Why would God frown…

How Long, O Lord?

“How long, O Lord?” is a pretty common refrain of God’s people throughout Scripture. We hear it echoed from the Psalms to Revelation. And we hear itechoed in the halls of University Lutheran as we wait for Baby Winters to make her appearance. Today is her due date, and we’re still waiting (at least we…

The Master of our Vineyard

Based on Isaiah 5:1-7 As this Old Testament parable begins, we hear the language of a joyful love song. The narrator sets the scene: the master of a vineyard carefully cultivates the fertile ground, digging and clearing out the stones and planting it with the best of vines. Beyond that, he built a watchtower from…

Our Inner Pharisee

Based on Matthew 21:23-32 When I was a kid, I can’t tell you how many times I told my mother, “Of course I’ll brush my teeth!” and proceeded to bed without brushing them. I wanted to please her, but at the same time, I really didn’t want to brush my teeth – so I lied…

Don’t Fear the Alligators

From Campus Missionary Mary Rowley: A few weeks ago, I visited the beautiful Wakulla Springs. My friend and I took the river tour and were both delighted and terrified to have our first glimpse of wild alligators. We were very glad to be safely on a boat! One swam across the river and we could see…

Our Mirrored Character

Philippians 2:1-18 The first half of this passage (1-11) is a snippet of Jesus’ reasoning of being put on this Earth. It is not about the historical context of works He has done, but it is about the Holy Spirit inspired ultimate WORK in which He performed. Christ’s humility is what is being described. It…

Good Ol’ Camp Songs

Based on Psalm 25:1-10 Read the first couple of verses of this psalm out loud. Does it sound familiar? If you’ve ever attended a Christian camp, then you might start singing, “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul (clap clap); in You I trust, O Lord!” This is a song I sang constantly…

“Jesus Over All”

Ezekiel 18:1-4 Ezekiel explains of a time when God came to him with a concerned question regarding the power of the fathers who came before. God blatantly tells Ezekiel that the Law, and those who are in charge of it (Rabbis),are not going to serve as power over His people once the Messiah comes. Those…