What are YOU done with? Which feelings of hurt and betrayal do you need healed this Holy Week, on our journey to the cross?
Welcome to Jerusalem. This is where we begin Holy Week. We open with the story of Jesus riding a colt or a donkey depending on the gospel, into the city, attracting crowds, che… http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/welcome-to-jerusalem/
As the ultimate healer and restorer, God loves us so much and cares for us so deeply ‒ setting all things right for his people.
In this week’s blog, I felt it would be beneficial to take a detour from the rituals of healing to discuss The Healer. In Exodus 15, we find that God had led the Israelites acr… http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/god-the-healer/
During Lent, NorthPark Presbyterian Church invites you to join us in our search for healing in the wilderness.
Our theme for Lent this year at NorthPark Presbyterian Church is “healing in the wilderness.”
In the Bible, the Hebrew words for wilderness (midbar, arabah and eremos) appear … http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/healing-wholeness-in-the-wilderness/
People talk a lot about “giving up their troubles to God,” and that is exactly what Mary did. Her example gives us reason to hope.
Luke tells us, “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph…” The virgin’s nam… http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/be-not-afraid/
This Advent season, who is preparing you for the coming Messiah? Is your heart ready for him?
“A voice of one crying out:
Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness;
Make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
Every valley will be lifted … http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/preparing-the-way/
The nativity is not the climax. It is not the end of a great epic. It is the beginning.
Every year some well-meaning person posts an image or e-card that reminds us that Christmas is not about presents, but “presence.” Or “it’s not about what’s under the tree, but… http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/all-jesus-all-the-time/
Let us take time from our busy schedules to reflect on God’s goodness and give thanks for the Lord’s blessings.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” ‒ Luke 17:17-18
This particula… http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/where-are-the-other-9/
Meet the South African minister who helped bring an end to the racist policy that changed a nation.
© 2012 SCUPE
It almost didn’t happen. But in 1968, a segregated branch of the Dutch Reformed Church ordained Allan Boesak, a 22-year-old man of “mixed race,” to become a ministe… http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/rev-dr-allan-boesak/
“I’ve learned to be big for the right reasons, and you can join me. Not in dimensions, but in stature for others.”
photo credit: Molly Whisler
I never asked to be big. Cheeseburgers notwithstanding.
But I am.
I’m 6’7’’ and 340 pounds of BIG. And I’ve learned to be big for the right reas… http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/shanes-big-blog/
Christians all over the world will gather to hold the Easter Vigil and greet the resurrected Christ beginning at Civil Twilight.
This is the night!
Do you know how the date of Easter is determined? The council of Nicea ruled that Easter is held on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on… http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/the-great-easter-vigil/
Today we not only feast with God, but we remember one very serious discussion that took place around the dinner table.
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke i… http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/sitting-down-jesus/
There is no brokenness or corruption to which God will abandon us.
After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’
– John 13:21
So while reclining next to Jesus, he ask… http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/revealing-jesus/
Long before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a prophet named Isaiah spoke of a messiah who would change the world.
Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. He made my mouth… http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/how-the-lord-calling-you/
When we think about the supreme sacrifice of Christ for us, all we can do is pour contempt on our pride.
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
See, from his head, his hands, his … http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/when-i-survey-the-wondrous-cross/
There is no doubt that Palm Sunday becomes the crest of the first hill on the emotional roller coaster that is Holy Week.
All glory, laud, and honor To You, Redeemer, King, To Whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.
The Palm Sunday celebration of Christ’s “triumphant” entrance into … http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/lenten-hymns-glory-laud-and-honor/
As Jesus prayed in the garden for the strength to endure, so can we turn to God and pray for strength to walk our difficult journeys.
As a lifelong Presbyterian, hymns have always been a part of my faith journey. They float into my mind, and I find myself humming them to either praise a beautiful example of G… http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/lenten-hymns-go-to-dark-gethsemane/
Deep and intense theological questions follow me daily: “Whose truth will I believe? Whose truth is most relevant?”
For the next few weeks, our NorthPark bloggers will make Lenten reflections based on their favorite hymns.
This week, Rev. Kelly Staples has chosen “What Wondrous Love,” whic… http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/lenten-hymns-walking-the-road-bravel/
Hope in Jesus Christ gives us courage for the present day. Hope never bends to the forces of hate as it pursues the ideal of Christ’s love.
I believe in Almighty God, who guided the people through exodus to care for strangers because they were once strangers, who called them to execute justice for the orphan and wi… http://www.northparkpres.org/blog/affirmation-in-such-times-these/