The parables spoken by Jesus were all relatable to Jesus’ audience. Jesus often took an everyday, common subject to explain a deeper and valuable moral lesson to His hearers and followers. This month, my goal has been to take a parable of Jesus and recreate a modern scenario using the interpretive elements in the parable to speak to my contemporary audience. These modern … [Read more...] about The parables of Jesus modernized for a contemporary audience (Conclusion)
Rev. Judith T. Lester
The parables of Jesus modernized for a contemporary audience (Week 3)
Jesus’ parables are included in the Synoptic Gospels. (Matthew, Mark and Luke.) A parable is defined as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. If we use the definition of a parable loosely, then it must include all parabolic instructions (e.g. see Isaiah 5:1-7, 2 Samuel 12:1- 4, etc.), not just those in the New Testament. However, for the sake of this series, I am only … [Read more...] about The parables of Jesus modernized for a contemporary audience (Week 3)
The parables of Jesus modernized for a contemporary audience (Week 2)
When I think about how God’s Word still teaches us today through its timeless truths, my mind inherently turns to the spiritual insight we continue to glean from the parables Jesus spoke during His earthly ministry. While the Bible was completed many years ago, it contains the unchanging message of hope and values for us to live by. This month, I am looking at a few of Jesus’ … [Read more...] about The parables of Jesus modernized for a contemporary audience (Week 2)
The parables of Jesus modernized for a contemporary audience (Week 1)
The Bible contains the eternal Word of God. While times change, God’s Word never changes! Consider the parables of Jesus. Spoken over 2,000 years ago, Jesus used the parables to help His followers understand spiritual and moral truths. In the parables, Jesus used common everyday events to explain aspects of the kingdom of God. This month, I will look at 4 parables of Jesus and … [Read more...] about The parables of Jesus modernized for a contemporary audience (Week 1)
ALS Awareness Month – #ALSAwareness (conclusion)
ALS (or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Awareness Month is observed in the United States during the month of May. In Canada, June has been declared as ALS Awareness Month by the Canadian Minister of Health. It has been my resolve for nearly 20 years, to bring awareness to various topics through this column. This month, the focus has been on ALS (also known as “Lou Gehrig’s … [Read more...] about ALS Awareness Month – #ALSAwareness (conclusion)
ALS Awareness Month – #ALSAwareness (Week 3)
The Ice Bucket Challenge is one example of an event designed to raise awareness that inspired unparalleled giving on behalf of ALS Awareness. The Ice Bucket Challenge is an activity involving the dumping of a bucket of ice water over a person’s head, either by another person or self-administered. The Ice Bucket Challenge began as a way of promoting awareness of ALS (or … [Read more...] about ALS Awareness Month – #ALSAwareness (Week 3)
ALS Awareness Month – #ALSAwareness (Week 2)
This month’s focus is on ALS Awareness. I noted in last week’s article that awareness days, weeks and months are helpful as they heighten awareness around a specific cause, start conversations and have spurred charity events and information campaigns. Awareness months also provide the community with opportunities to participate via support for a cause one is passionate … [Read more...] about ALS Awareness Month – #ALSAwareness (Week 2)
ALS Awareness Month – #ALSAwareness (Week 1)
There are awareness days, weeks and months throughout the year. Many people believe that only recently have awareness days come into being; but actually, awareness days goes back decades. For instance, the National Fire Prevention Week is observed during the month of October. National Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire that occurred in 1871 in which 300 … [Read more...] about ALS Awareness Month – #ALSAwareness (Week 1)
The blended family (conclusion)
This entire month the focus has been on the blended/ step-family. While it has been established that step-parenting can be challenging, it can be rewarding as well. While many believe the terrible myths about step-families, in this conclusion, I have included information from Psychology Today indicating 80 percent of children of divorce or remarriage do succeed. The article … [Read more...] about The blended family (conclusion)
The blended family (Week 4)
Merriam-Webster defines “step-family” as a family in which there is a step-parent, a mother or father who is a step-mother or step-father. This week’s article will address 7 challenges to creating family as well as share the 5 communication strengths in healthy families. The National Step-family Resource Center published an article titled: Quick Steps: Information to Help … [Read more...] about The blended family (Week 4)