Commentary

Ash Wednesday – A Tradition of Men (but a good one!)

By NSUMC / August 26, 2023 /

Ash Wednesday is a traditionally important day within the life of many church denominations. Ironically, being one who is not overly friendly to non-biblical, man-made “traditions” within the current church calendar, I find Ash Wednesday and…

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Rejected? Never!

By NSUMC / August 26, 2023 /

In the Book of Romans, Paul reminds the believers in Roman that God has NOT rejected His people, Israel. Ironically, however, many translators simply cannot get that into their heads…

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Life or Death? Choose One!

By NSUMC / February 14, 2023 /

In one of the Scripture passages referred to in the Revised Common Lectionary for February 12, 2023, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, (please see here) God, through Moses, offers the Israelites (who were…

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A Wisdom “secret and hidden” 

By NSUMC / February 11, 2023 /

In 1 Corinthians, Chapter 2:6-8 , Paul shared with the Corinthians (and with us by extension) what he described as a wisdom from God – a wisdom “secret and hidden.”  It…

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Maker Of All Things? Some Say No!

By NSUMC / February 1, 2023 /

Recently I have engaged in a couple of discussions/debates regards the origin of evil. Yes, evil, that spiritual state that “appears” to be in conflict with the plans and ways…

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Jewish Wise Men?

By NSUMC / January 6, 2023 /

The three wise men from the East that we have all heard about all our lives are an interesting part of the story of the Christ child.  As with many…

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Common Shepherds?

By NSUMC / December 24, 2022 /

Have you ever wondered why when Jesus was born that angels appeared to shepherds out in the fields of Bethlehem and announced to them that the birth had taken place?…

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“Two Advents – Two Messiahs”

By The North Salem United Methodist Church / December 20, 2022 /

In Matthew’s gospel there is a very interesting statement that John the Baptist directs to some of his followers while he, John, is in prison and Jesus is engaged in…

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The Transfiguration

By The North Salem United Methodist Church / December 3, 2022 /

When considering any of Christ’s many miracles, one must first ask oneself this question: Why did Christ do such & such a miraculous work? Why did Christ engage in miracles…

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“The Lynch Pin Commandment”

By The North Salem United Methodist Church / December 1, 2022 /

Of God’s Ten Commandments one stands out uniquely from the other nine – and that commandment is the Fourth Commandment.  As the Commandment is written: “Remember the Sabbath day, to…

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