“Where change can truly happen (3)” Genesis 28:18 First thing in the morning Jacob takes action. From this single phrase we can derive that the dream has had significant influence on this man. Through his actions he transforms a simple object into something entirely new and meaningful. Let’s take a detailed look to see […]

  “Where change can truly happen (2)” Genesis 28:17 We know what it’s like to have a memory triggered by some occasion. Then after the brief replay in our head we find ourselves responding with something like, “if I only knew then what I know now.” This experience is common. The reason is we human […]

  “Where change can truly happen (1)” Genesis 28:17 I have never understood the lyrics of the old Sunday School Hymn, “We are climbing Jacob’s Ladder.” I just don’t get the correlation of climbing a ladder with being a “soldier of the cross.” But never the less, the dream is before us. Let’s dive in, […]

  “Waking Up” Genesis 28:10-16 The default belief regarding Christian growth is that if one does the right things over a given time, growth happens. The natural image created in our heads is that growth is linear, meaning a gradual ascent over time. I’m not against this whole idea, but I’m not sure it’s all […]

  “If Only Junior Could Come Around” Genesis 28:6-9 Many of us dads have scratched our heads in disgust asking, “What is with that kid?” “We raised him in a Christian home, not perfect, but with good intent, we did the best we could, and here he is going off the deep end.” Worse yet, […]

  Mixed Messages Genesis 28:1-5 We have all experienced “mixed messages.” Sometimes on the receiving end we find ourselves walking away from a conversation wondering, “What was that all about?” On the other hand we can each cite a time or two where we have caught our selves mid-sentence, (generally while lecturing a teenager) asking […]

  Bless and Charge Genesis 28:1 Over the last two sessions the Moot House men have had the opportunity to each share a bit of their story in relation to what degree they each felt “blessed” and “charged” as they left home years ago. We created a group profile chart and then wrapped up with […]

  Bless and Charge Genesis 28:1 The first line of Genesis 28 grabbed me this week. It reads, “So Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and charged him.” I immediately started to explore the relationship between the words “bless” and “charge.” How do the two relate within the context of launching a younger man out? […]

  From Bad to Worse, Genesis 27:41-46 Genesis 27:41-46 “What a tangle web we weave.” We all know this. The context may change but honestly, guys, have we all not seen “from bad to worse” happen before our very eyes? Of course we have! Let’s look at this a bit closer to attempt to discover […]

  Only One Firstborn Blessing, Genesis 27:39-40 Genesis 27:39-40 In this session we wrap up the comparison of the two blessings. Listen in as the Moothouse Men seek to understand this enigmatic blessing to Esau, how it compares to what Jacob received earlier and how it could relate to us in our journey of authentic […]

  “And This is a Blessing?”, Genesis 27:39-40 Genesis 27:39-40 In this session we take a closer look at Esau’s blessing comparing it to the first born blessing stolen earlier by his brother, Jacob. There are so many questions raised as we read through these two verses. As we read we are naturally asking, “Where […]

  It’s Just Not Fair, Genesis 27:30-38   Genesis 27:30-38 So much of our thinking is influenced by the idea, “I do my part, and God will do His.” This of course comes into challenge when suddenly life goes south, through unpleasant and uncontrollable circumstances. Most often while in pain, we feel like we have […]

The Stolen Blessing, Genesis 27:27-29   Genesis 27-29 This morning we look at the blessing itself. After a quick review our focus will be on the text from verses 27-29. There are two major aspects to this blessing. Listen in as the Moot House men discuss this together. Note: Fast forward to about 2 minutes […]

Matters of the heart-A Blessing Model part 11   Genesis 27:18-29 This morning we wrap with this subject of blessing. After a short review, Mike will guide us through the blessing model, referencing what we have leaned over the last several weeks. A final look at five key points will bring this section of our […]

Matters of the heart-A Blessing Model part 10   Genesis 27:18-29 Last time we looked at five ways we human beings compensate when we feel “Unsafe.” Today we will continue by reviewing three critical steps towards healing and restoration. Listen in as the Moothouse Men grapple with these offering helpful insights from their own story. […]

Matters of the heart-A Blessing Model part 9   Genesis 27:18-29 Today we will look at five ways we human beings compensate when we feel “Unsafe.” Remember, we are describing “unsafe” as what it feels like to fall. Within relationships, as you and I sense this feeling we tend to start grabbing for something to […]

Matters of the heart-A Blessing Model part 8   Genesis 27:18-29 After a brief review, we will continue our discussion of “Unsafe” by reviewing a short segment from the movie “Home Run.” In this segment we will look at how so often in human relationships the “innocent victim” becomes the one who has the most […]

Matters of the heart-A Blessing Model part 7   Genesis 27:18-29 It would be wonderful if all relationships were perceived as “safe.” But that is simply not the case. So in regard to blessing we need to look at the fuller picture in relation to human exchange. After a brief review of the “Safe Model” […]

Matters of the heart-A Blessing Model part 6   Genesis 27:18-29 In this morning’s session we introduce a model for blessing. This model is not intended to prescribe a methodology but rather a representation of what occurs during this most meaningful human exchange. But like all models it is limited and smaller than the real […]

Matters of the heart-A Blessing Model part 5 Genesis 27:18-29 Last week we looked at the Abrahamic blessing from Genesis chapter 12. We explored how this blessing relates to us today. As men, we are called to be a blessing and thus “to bless.” Our capacity to bless is proportional to our ability to trust […]