September 13, 2020 – Genesis 41:25-33, 37-40, 50-52; ISSL Reflections

I.This week’s Scripture jumps over a number of incidents in Joseph’s roller-coaster ride to this occasion in Pharaoh’s presence. Make no mistake it had its ups and downs, but now Joseph is the center of Pharaoh’s attention and very likely … Continue reading

September 6, 2020; Genesis 37:2–11, 23–24a, 28; Post 3 ISSL Reflections

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%2037&version=NRSV,NABRE IX.How did our thought experiment from the other day go? I know it is overly simplistic to even suggest a 21 point scale (of course that is not counting for fractional or decimal breakdown of the scale) to think … Continue reading

September 6, 2020 – Genesis 37:2-11, 23-24a, 28 – Post 2 – ISSL Reflections

V.Let’s review this week’s passage regarding Joseph and his family. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%2037&version=NRSV,NABRE What do we notice? Joseph’s father (Jacob/Israel) loves Joseph more than his other sons. (37:3) Joseph’s brothers take notice of Jacob’s love for Joseph and “hate” him. Apparently they … Continue reading

August 30, 2020, James 3:13-18, 5:7-11, Post3, ISSL Reflections

VII.This week we end for now our time with James. This might be a good time to review what James had to say – Scripture for August 2 –https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201%3A19-27&version=NRSV,ESV,MSG Scripture for August 9 –https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201%3A19-27&version=NRSV,ESV,MSG Scripture for August 16 –https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%202%3A14-26&version=NIV,CEB,MSG Scripture … Continue reading

August 30, 2020, James 3:13-18; 5:7-11, Post 2 – ISSL Reflections

Let’s go back to the Scriptures for a moment. Here are three translations to consider –https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%203%3A13-18%3B%205%3A7-11&version=NRSV,MSG,LEB V.The other day I asked you to consider the two kinds of “wisdom” James speaks of and to note the words or phrases that … Continue reading

August 23, 2020 James 3:1-12 Post 2 ISSL Reflections

Take some time to slowly read this week’s Scripture passage. Don’t rush over it. Let the words find a resting place in you and soak them in. Here is a link to three translations of the passage –https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%203%3A1-12&version=NRSV,MSG,GNT IV.As you … Continue reading

August 16 2020 James 2:14-26 Post 3 ISSL Reflections

You can read several translations of this week’s passage at –https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%202%3A14-26&version=NIV,CEB,MSG VII.Let’s look at The Message translation of a couple of sentences. Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but … Continue reading

August 16, 2020, James 2:14-26 – Post 2 – ISSL Reflections

Here are three translations of this week’s passage –https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%202%3A14-26&version=NRSV,ESV,NASB IV.We are thinking about James’ claims about faith and works. Last week we heard him stress the importance of moving beyond hearing about “the word” and failing to put into action … Continue reading