Scripture: Luke 6:27-38 27 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; 28 bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: Guided by Integrity
Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one... Continue Reading →
What is God’s Word?
I just did a short video related to this topic (you can watch it here), but I thought I the issue deserved a little more context and development. I began thinking about the phrase "The Word of God" a couple weeks ago because of a twitter discussion I had with two individuals who were trying... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: Responding to Uncertainty
Scripture: Exodus 32:1-14 The people saw that Moses was taking a long time to come down from the mountain. They gathered around Aaron and said to him, “Come on! Make us gods who can lead us. As for this man Moses who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we don’t have a... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: An Opportunity for Generosity
Scripture: Exodus 35:4-19 4 Moses said to the whole Israelite community, This is what the Lord has commanded: 5 Collect gift offerings for the Lord from all of you. Whoever freely wants to give should bring the Lord’s gift offerings: gold, silver, and copper; 6 blue, purple, and deep red yarns; fine linen; goats’ hair; 7 rams’ skins dyed... Continue Reading →
And Call Them to Repentance
Reading through a songbook I stumbled on the now dated chorus "Change My Heart Oh God", this started me thinking about other songs that mention metaphors of hardhearted, or heart of stone and our need for change to be like God. Then I started down the Twitter rabbit hole where I saw any number of... Continue Reading →
On Reading Scripture
Let's face it, the Bible can be a difficult book to read and understand, and we all need help capturing it's meaning. On the Book Shelf tab I have a list of resources that I have found helpful but a list is not always helpful. While reading commentaries is helpful, it is probably impractical to... Continue Reading →
Christmas Day
Day of Christmas John 18:36-37 36 Jesus replied, “My kingdom doesn’t originate from this world. If it did, my guards would fight so that I wouldn’t have been arrested by the Jewish leaders. My kingdom isn’t from here.” 37 “So you are a king?” Pilate said. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king.... Continue Reading →
Christmas Eve
Christ Candle Isaiah 9:2-7 2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. 3 You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy. They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest, as those who divide plunder rejoice. 4 As on the day... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: Behind That Silent Night
Scripture: Luke 2:8-14 8There were shepherds in that region, out in the open, keeping a night watch around their flock. 9An angel of the Lord stood in front of them. The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10‘Don’t be afraid,’ the angel said to them. ‘Look: I’ve got good news... Continue Reading →
Squinting in the Light 