Author Archives: pastoraaronkalbas

Grace is a tricky thing.  It doesn’t always look right.  Just consider the kind of folk who fill the annals of salvation history in the bible: Abraham lied (twice) to save his own skin, giving his wife to other men, saying Sarah was his sister and not his wife. He later committed adultery and conceivedContinueContinue reading “Devotions #24”

It was the perfect setup.  There Jesus was, surrounded by crowds of people, all of them hanging on His every word. Matthew’s version of the story doesn’t give us many details, but you can only imagine the big commotion that was caused as the paralyzed man is brought to Jesus’ feet (Mark and Luke mentionContinueContinue reading “Devotion #23”

“Pastor, why do the demons want to enter into a herd of pigs?                  My answer:  Beats me. Poor piggies! “Pastor, why do the pigs run off a cliff?”                  My answer:  Wouldn’t you if a pack of demons suddenly entered you? “Pastor, the pigs died, the farmers lost their income. Why would Jesus allow thisContinueContinue reading “Devotion #22”

Who could look the Son of God in the eyes and say, “Lord, You are not first”?   I’d never do that. Would I?  Don’t I?  Every day. I come up with 101 justifications for a 1001 exceptions to every rule of faith.  Yes, I love Jesus. But sometimes it’s just too easy to say,ContinueContinue reading “Devotion #21”

Technically, I’m supposed to be on vacation this week. I promised my wife I wouldn’t spend it working and writing. That’s sometimes hard for me to do, but I’ve done a pretty good job keeping that promise, I guess.  Almost… I figure since I’m up early this morning and the family is still sleeping, my workingContinueContinue reading “Devotion #20”

I know they say you can’t go home again.I just had to come back one last time.Ma’am I know you don’t know me from Adam.But these hand prints on the front steps are mine.Up those stairs, in that little back bedroomIs where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar.And I bet youContinueContinue reading “Devotion # 19”

Maybe, I’m just a bible nerd, but there are a lot of times that I like to pretend that I’m a part of the sacred story. I daydream that I’m Adam standing by the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, but unlike him, my wits are about me and the moment that lyingContinueContinue reading “Devotion #18”

Perhaps you’ve read somewhere that Jesus was not very original when He gave what’s popularly called “The Golden Rule.”  Apparently, Confucius, a revered Chinese philosopher, who lived some 500 years before Jesus said something similar. And, of course, throughout the ages, there have been many who were happy to accuse Jesus of plagiarism and beingContinueContinue reading “Devotion #17”

It’s funny the things we remember, the things we hang on to.  All the little indiscretions that others have perpetrated against us from the distant past.  I remember well the faces of those who have ridiculed me, made fun of me, made me feel small.  However, I’m not talking about yesterday or last year orContinueContinue reading “Devotion #16”