I invite you to walk with me alongside one of Jesus’ disciples. One who went through some of the highest highs and the lowest lows. Walk with him, walk with me, and walk with Jesus, towards Jerusalem. Simon is listed first in the calling of the disciples in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Furthermore, Jesus actually gives him the name Peter. “ Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas.’ (which, when translated, is Peter). ”( John 1:42 ) I wonder what that...

I am sitting quietly in my chair, my dog curled up beside me, thinking of Judas Iscariot with whom I have been “journeying” for several weeks as I try to understand his actions—chosen, beloved, part of the ‘in-crowd” around Jesus—and yet somehow not committed to the purpose of Jesus. Well, it seems none of them really were. The first time Jesus spoke of his journey to Jerusalem, to suffer many things at the hands of the Jewish leaders, and to be killed, Peter rose to rebuke him, but none of...

Our blog today comes from our beloved Laurie Kemhus. Have you ever been so focused on something so small that you missed the most important point? Tunnel vision? Things to do? A one-track mind? Boxes to check? Rules to obey? People to keep on schedule? Duties to fulfill? The ruling Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day had the same problems but on a much bigger scale.     The religious elite from those days were collectively known as the Sanhedrin: Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Elders, Priests and...