Author Archives: LJones

What Are You Thinking? Not long ago I met a woman who was preparing to donate a kidney to her father.  She had been identified as a “match” for the procedure, but there were several other people who, for a … Continue reading →

What Were They Thinking? What do you suppose the Pharisees and scribes thought when Jesus dished out His woes?  Did they see Him as a hen gathering her chicks, or a rooster spurring his competition?  Was Nicodemus in the crowd?  … Continue reading →

We can actually answer the question “What was He thinking?” with some accuracy.  Before His death, Jesus knew His disciples’ hearts were troubled.  He comforted them with a vision of eternity and the promise of the Counselor to come (John … Continue reading →

What Was He Thinking? Love makes us do crazy things.  Not long ago my wife Jane and I attended our niece’s wedding.  Family weddings can be a challenge for preachers since they are normally held on Saturday afternoon, and preachers … Continue reading →

Have you ever had a soul-mate?  If I understand the term correctly, I have had two.  One was a cousin I used to run with when I was a kid.  We only saw each other in the summer and at … Continue reading →

What is Love? It is hard to recognize a lover if we can’t define love.  One of the most disheartening narratives I witness in ministry is the effect misguided love, or the absence of love has on children as they … Continue reading →

The song “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” was written by Charles Wesley.  There is a tradition he wrote it while fleeing some attackers who disagreed with his Christian doctrine in the parish of Killyleagh, County Down, Ireland.  At one point … Continue reading →

Lover of My Soul – Matthew 23:37 Jesus can be harsh with those He loves.  Can you accept this truth? We have a hard time reconciling discipline with love or criticism with compassion in our culture.  It is easier to … Continue reading →

Have you ever considered your service to the Lord to be an incarnation?  Perhaps you have never used this specific word but you may have heard these words from the Apostle Paul:  “All this is from God, who reconciled us … Continue reading →

The Church Incarnate The classic hymn, The Church’s One Foundation by Samuel Stone, contains the line “Yet she on earth hath union, with God the Three in One.” Our role as holy priests is unique to this union.  We are … Continue reading →