Rev Chris Roth

    Job is a book of wisdom. Job is like a long parable, almost a fairy tale. Once upon a time there was a man named Job, and he was the greatest man who lived in the land. Job is blameless. He lived in a big house, on lots of land, with a big family, and many possessions.   Job loves God and turns away from evil. And God, like a proud parent, richly blesses Job with family and property. Job is a good, good, good man.           God even brags about Job to the Satan, which means “the accuser” or the “adversary”. He's a bit like a legal prosecutor against humanity. Satan looks at Job and tells God, “Ya, he’s good, but what happens if you take away his toys? He’s only good because you bless him at every opportunity- Of course he’s going to be good. But, what happens when the blessing stops? What happens when you take away his reward for being so good and faithful? Do you think he would still be good? I doubt it. In fa...

              Today we are celebrating the feast day of St. Luke. The Church remembers Luke primarily as the author of the 'Gospel according to Luke' and the 'Acts of the Apostles', though these books Luke tells about the earthly life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus and then in Acts Luke tells how news about Jesus spread all the way to Rome. Luke is also believed to have been a doctor. He was a close friend of Paul's, who called him the "beloved Physician".   Luke was a healer, and writing these books was a part of that.           When I say "healing" to you, or say that we are having a 'service of healing' there are probably a few images that come to mind. Televangelists like Benny Hinn might come to mind. Someone walks on stage who has previously been confined to a wheelchair, but who is now completely healed. They run around and jump up and down proving t...

Mark 10:17-31   The Rich and the Kingdom of God 17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’ [ a ] ” 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God !” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But...