Jim’s Coffee Conversation

Jim’s Coffee Conversation

My Latest Posts

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  • CHRISTMAS DAY
    December 25, 2025   Suggested Readings Isaiah 62:6-12 Psalm 97 Titus 3:4-7 John 1:1-18   John 1:14 (the Message) The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.… Read more: CHRISTMAS DAY
  • CHRISTMAS EVE
    December 24, 2025   Suggested Readings Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Like 2:1-14   The angelic announcement is one of “good news!” It is certainly a pertinent and necessary… Read more: CHRISTMAS EVE
  • FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
    December 21, 2025   Suggested Readings:Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25   Isaiah writes of a time when a young woman will bear a child whose name… Read more: FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
  • NO OTHER GODS
    You know the story. Joseph is engaged to be married to Mary. Engagement has the same legal status as marriage. When Mary informs Joseph that she is pregnant he wants… Read more: NO OTHER GODS
  • THE DIVINE EXPRESSION
       And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John… Read more: THE DIVINE EXPRESSION
  • THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
    December 14, 2025   Suggested Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 Luke 1:46b-55 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11   Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return,And come with singing unto Zion;And… Read more: THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
  • WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS
      Okay, it’s corny and schmaltzy, but once a year I like to watch Miracle on 34th Street (1994). It makes me smile and for just a few minutes push… Read more: WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS
  • SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
    December 7, 2025   Suggested Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12   John the Baptist uses an interesting phrase in his confrontation with the Pharisees and… Read more: SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
  • FIRST SNDAY OF ADVENT
    November 30, 2025   Suggested Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44     The word “Advent” comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival”. Advent is a season observed in… Read more: FIRST SNDAY OF ADVENT
  • THANKSGIVING DAY
      Suggested readings: Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Psalm 100 Philippians 4:4-9 John 6:25-35     Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Philippians 4:4 (The MSG italics added)… Read more: THANKSGIVING DAY
  • -MY DASH-
      At some point in your life you may have run across the poem, “The Dash” by Linda Ellis. The poem, often used at funerals and memorial services, tells of… Read more: -MY DASH-
  • THE WORDS OF ADVENT
    The literal meaning of advent is a “coming” or “arrival,” and can refer to the general beginning of something significant. When capitalized, Advent refers to the Christian season of four or… Read more: THE WORDS OF ADVENT
  • FIRST THINGS FIRST
      “I believe in God. I just don’t want anything to do with organized religion.”   If you have been around the church anytime at all you have probably heard… Read more: FIRST THINGS FIRST
  • IMAGINE
      Imagine there’s no heavenIt’s easy if you tryNo hell below usAbove us, only sky – John Lennon   My natural cynicism boils over sometimes. Today, for some reason, is… Read more: IMAGINE
  • FEET OF CLAY
      Have you ever experienced an uncomfortable “Aha” moment? A moment when you were confronted with a realization about yourself that did not fit your own preconceived notion of who… Read more: FEET OF CLAY
  • S A D
    SAD is an acronym for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Johns Hopkins medicine defines SAD as a type of depression. It happens during certain seasons of the year, most often fall or… Read more: S A D
  • THE SHOE
    It was a simple thing. I got into the car and managed to knock my shoe off in the process. Now, the difficulty with that is that I have recently… Read more: THE SHOE
  • THE PITY-POT
      Perhaps I am alone in this, probably not. But often I find myself sitting on the pity-pot. The pity-pot is that place where we allow all our insecurities, inadequacies,… Read more: THE PITY-POT
  • RESURRECTION SUNDAY
    April 20, 2025 Suggested Readings: Acts 10:34-43 Isaiah 65:17-25 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 John 20:1-18 Luke 24:1-12 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Let’s face it. It is hard to believe that a… Read more: RESURRECTION SUNDAY
  • HOLY SATURDAY
    April 19, 2025 Suggested Readings: Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24 Psalm 31:1-4,15-16 1 Peter 4:1-8 John 19:38-42 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ There is a poignancy in the characters of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Joseph… Read more: HOLY SATURDAY
  • GOOD FRIDAY
    April 18, 2025 Suggested Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Psalm 22 Hebrews 10:16-25 Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 John 18:1-19:42 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is the fourth, last, and longest of the so-called “Servant Songs”… Read more: GOOD FRIDAY
  • THE SERVANT MODEL
      Before we leave Maundy Thursday, a few closing thoughts. We started this Lenten journey with a smear of ash on our forehead. That smear of ash reminds us of… Read more: THE SERVANT MODEL
  • MAUNDY THURSDAY
    April 17, 2025 Suggested Readings: Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14 Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-17, 31b-35 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, among other names is the day during Holy Week… Read more: MAUNDY THURSDAY
  • Shhh. . .
      I was reminded this morning of Psalm 46. The psalm has words of comfort and peace that we all need to hear. The writer promises that God is always… Read more: Shhh. . .
  • WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
    John 13:21-32   “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So,… Read more: WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
  • TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
    John 1:1-9; 12:35-36   John’s Gospel begins with an introduction of Jesus as the light that brings life into the world. John writes that darkness cannot overcome the light. The… Read more: TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
  • MAKING A DIFFERENCE
      My friend died. I cried. I don’t cry often and honestly don’t recall the last time tears came. But my friend died, and the only response was to shed… Read more: MAKING A DIFFERENCE
  • MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK
    John 12:1-8   I am humbled by Mary’s act of extravagant love for Jesus. Without regard for criticism or ridicule she expresses her love for Jesus by anointing his feet… Read more: MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK
  • LITURGY OF THE PALMS
    April 13, 2025 Suggested Readings: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Luke 19:28-40 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Jesus is fully aware that his life is in danger. John’s Gospel relates that Jesus’ enemies plotted to put… Read more: LITURGY OF THE PALMS
  • COUNTING SHEEP
    Some people fall asleep while counting sheep. When I am restless and sleep won’t come, I play a song in my mind. Last night the song was a tune titled,… Read more: COUNTING SHEEP
  • FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT
    April 6, 2025 Suggested Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The quantity and quality of the perfume are noted. Wipe is the same verb used to… Read more: FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT
  • FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
    March 30, 2025 Suggested Readings: Joshua 5:9-12 Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The New Revised Standard Version heads the passage from 2 Corinthians with the title,… Read more: FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
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    THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT March 23, 2025 Suggested Readings: Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The forty days of Lent are a time for reflection and… Read more:  
  • SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
    March 16, 2025 Suggested Readings: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Psalm 27 Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 13:31-35 Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him… Read more: SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
  • FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
    March 9, 2025 Suggested Readings: Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 Romans 10:8b-13 Luke 4:1-13 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Although Lent is… Read more: FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
  • A DIRTY THUMB
    My thumb has the remnants of last evening’s Ash Wednesday’s ashes still imbedded in the swirls of my fingerprint. The discoloration will stay there for a few days, but eventually… Read more: A DIRTY THUMB
  • ASH WEDNESDAY
    Suggested Readings: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Isaiah 58:1-12 Psalm 51:1-17 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, marks the beginning of the Lenten season in… Read more: ASH WEDNESDAY
  • REASON, SEASON, LIFETIME
    You may have heard it said that people come into your life for a reason, season, or lifetime. Broadly speaking, when people come into your life for a reason, it… Read more: REASON, SEASON, LIFETIME

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