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LatestSermons
Click on an audio icon below to listen to our past sermons
“Waiting for God to be Born in You”
December 10, 2023
“When God Speaks and We Can’t”
December 3, 2023
“A Perfect Gift from God”
November 26, 2023
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    WeeklyDevotions
    Monday, December 11, 2023 – Isaiah 25:6-8

           I was just a boy who had taken his jacket to the ballpark one evening.  After all, all baseball pitchers nee… Read More

    Sunday, December 10, 2023 – Luke 1:24-28

           Elizabeth has conceived out of God’s faithful promise to Zechariah.  She has been the reproach of her people… Read More

    Saturday, December 9, 2023 — John 3:27-28

    Messiah, the idea that he had come was not wasted on John the Baptist.  And while we may want to project our anticipation forward to end our wait… Read More

    Friday, December 8, 2023 — Genesis 15:7-8

           Promises that speak of a future for us always cause us to ask the question, “How will I know?”  At the heart… Read More

    Thursday, December 7, 2023 — Jeremiah 1:4-5

           Many of us don’t realize that our lives are lived out in relation to our calling.  Before we were born, we w… Read More

    Wednesday, December 6, 2023 — 1 Chronicles 23:13-14

           Our lives are steeped in tradition.  And it doesn’t matter if that tradition orders a special place for us o… Read More

    Tuesday, December 5, 2023 — Luke 1:18-23

           Waiting is an unavoidable part of life.  We all do it.  We all have to.  Zechariah and Elizabeth h… Read More

    Monday, December 4, 2023 — Judges 13:2-3

           We’ve heard of it happening before.  The little boy is given a seed to plant and he is promised that if he p… Read More

    Sunday, December 3, 2023 — Luke 1:5-17

           This day in Zechariah’s life, like most days for us, started out very normally.  A humble priest was going a… Read More

    Saturday, December 2, 2023 — 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

           It is sometimes difficult for us to get past our disappointments and frustrations with each other and move forwar… Read More

    Friday, December 1, 2023 — Romans 15:1-6

           It’s very difficult for us to put aside our frustrations with others when they fail to meet our standards and exp… Read More

    Thursday, November 30, 2023 — 1 Corinthians 14:24b-26

           God’s gifts to us are most prevalent and reach their greatest magnitude when we come together and are able to sha… Read More

    Wednesday, November 29, 2023 — Ephesians 4:11-13

           God’s divine plan for us is not laid out randomly.  God has a plan for us with purpose.  That God would… Read More

    Tuesday, November 28, 2023 — 1 Corinthians 14:10-12

           We often speak of exercising our faith.  And yet, exercising our faith is more than going through the ritual… Read More

    Monday, November 27, 2023 — Romans 12:4-8

           It’s clear that we have all been given a gift from God to use for the benefit of everyone.  It’s also clear… Read More

    Sunday, November 26, 2023 — 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

           The idea that we have a gift from the Spirit of God sometimes goes over our head.  Perhaps it’s because when… Read More

    Saturday, November 18, 2023 – Exodus 16:13-18

           We live in an age of consumerism.  It’s a concept that we don’t often think of as anything that would have a… Read More

    Friday, November 17, 2023 – 2 Corinthians 9:8-9

           Our eagerness to give is often shadowed by our fear of not having enough.  We have — somewhere along life’s… Read More

    Thursday, November 16, 2023 – Mark 12:41-44

           Giving to God’s work through our offerings to the church is not a contest.  The wealthy and the poor are nei… Read More

    Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – Hebrews 13:15-16

           We’ve all heard the story of the pig and the chicken who discovered a poor and hungry person sleeping in the hay… Read More

    Tuesday, November 14, 2023 – Matthew 20:26-27

           If we enter into our relationship with God in truth, then we will eventually come to realize that we can never gi… Read More

    Sunday, November 12, 2023 – 2 Corinthians 8:7-15

           When we think of someone being eager, our thoughts immediately run to the person who is not only excited about do… Read More

    Monday, November 13, 2023 – 1 Timothy 6:17-19

           We sometimes get caught up in the trends of our culture allowing the culture to define and tell us what real life… Read More

    Saturday, November 11, 2023 – John 10:9-10

           We get so caught up in the complexities of our life and world that we seldom allow ourselves to remember the days… Read More

    Friday, November 10, 2023 – John 14:11-12

           One would think it impossible to do greater things than Jesus.  And to be honest, it boggles the mind to eve… Read More

    Thursday, November 9, 2023 – 1 Corinthians 9:24-26

           Each day we awaken to life, we awaken to life anew.  Each day we are given is a day to hone our skills in be… Read More

    Wednesday, November 8, 2023 – Ephesians 4:20-24

           We have to admit that more than anything else the blessing of our faith is that our God is a God of many chances…. Read More

    Tuesday, November 7, 2023 – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

           Death, while not a daily experience for all of us, has a profound impact on our outlook on life when it comes…. Read More

    Monday, November 6, 2023 – 1 Peter 1:12

           For the most part, we are so wrapped up in our current reality that we often fail to recognize the gift we have a… Read More

    Sunday, November 5, 2023 – Hebrews 11:29-12:2

           We are not easily persuaded that death points to a better life.  After all, we don’t really know much about… Read More

    Saturday, November 4, 2023, Hebrews 10:35-36

           If you’ve ever lost your confidence before, then you know it can have a devastating impact on every part of our l… Read More

    Friday, November3, 2023, Ephesians 2:12

           We’ve probably lived in our relationship with Christ so long that we can’t remember what hopelessness feels like…. Read More

    Thursday, November 2, 2023, 1 Corinthians 16:5-7

           People are notorious for laying out their personal plans with the idea that they are somehow in control of their… Read More

    Wednesday, November 1, 2023, Hebrews 9:13-15b

           What we live for and look to receive (as believers) are the eternal promises of God.  Our hopes in life coun… Read More

    Tuesday, October 31. 2023, Jeremiah 3:21-24

           Life has a way of throwing us off of our game.  Frustrations, failures, disappointments, distractions, inter… Read More

    Monday, October 30, 2023, Philippians 3:13-14

           One of the most difficult things to do is to put yesterday behind us.  In some ways, if yesterday was good t… Read More

    Sunday, October 29, 2023, Hebrews 6:1-12

           It’s so easy for us to become trapped in the details of what it means to be Christian.  This is especially t… Read More

    Saturday, October 28, 2023, Matthew 5:3-9

           When we think of God’s justice, we’re often consumed with what will happen to those who antagonize and aggravate… Read More

    Friday, October 27, 2023, Joel 2:25-27

           For the most part, we have made up our minds about what justice is.  While we are willing to acknowledge tha… Read More

    Thursday, October 26, 2023, Genesis 18:22-26

           We’ve often asked the question, “Why does evil persist, and why doesn’t God do something about it?”  And per… Read More

    Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Malachi 4:1-2

           It is foolish for us to believe that evil and injustice will go on forever.  Every indication is that God’s… Read More

    Tuesday, October 24, 2023, Luke 16:19-25

           We are compelled to face the truth about our participation in God’s justice for our time.  The truth is that… Read More

    Monday, October 23, 2023, Jeremiah 36, 2-3

           God’s justice for our time is not operating without a priority, or an end result in mind.  While we think of… Read More

    Sunday, October 22, 2023, Zephaniah 3:7-13

           Waiting for God to act against injustice is not on our agenda.  We’re disappointed, anxious, and impatient w… Read More

    Saturday, October 21, 2023, Romans 15:7-8

           One of the modern ways of making progress and being successful has at its foundation the idea to “begin with the… Read More

    Friday, October 20, 2023, 1 Peter 5:2-4

           We live in a world that is changing daily.  That’s not new.  What is different are the heightened sense… Read More

    Thursday, October 19, 2024, Romans 15:30-32

           At some point, justice becomes more than just a way to make sure that people pay for their wrongdoings.  The… Read More

    Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 2 Corinthians 8:23-24

           It’s easy to get lost in the reasons we do things. To fulfill some social or moral code – to uphold law and order… Read More

    Tuesday, October 17, 2023, Acts 21:33-34

           We’ve said from the beginning that true justice happens when we begin with the truth.  Without truth, justic… Read More

    Monday, October 16, 2023, 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

           For those of us who have children, we know that challenges and struggles of parenthood.  It’s probably in th… Read More

    Sunday, October 15, 2023, Philemon 8-11, 17-21

           We don’t often ask all of the questions we need to ask about justice.  We want it.  There’s no question… Read More

    Saturday, October 14, 2023, Zechariah 7:8-10

           There is a relationship between how we relate to God and how we relate to each other.  God is due all honor… Read More

    Friday, October 13, 2023, John 9:39-41

           While not found in the Bible anywhere, there is a statement that is quoted: “There are none so blind and those wh… Read More

    Thursday, October 12, 2023, Psalm 89:13-16

           Many people revere and honor God as the God of power and might.  I’m sure there are reasons which point to G… Read More

    Wednesday, October 11, 2023, Mark 12:32-34

           Sometimes our love of God and how we honor God is determined by how we live our lives within the tradition and st… Read More

    Tuesday, October 10, 2023, Matthew 5:23-24

           We can’t deny that offering our gifts back to God is one of the most powerful displays of faith and commitment to… Read More

    Monday, October 9, 2023, Luke 10:40-42

           It’s not unusual for us to become distracted.  Distractions take away our focus from what we should be doing… Read More

    Sunday, October 8, 2023, Matthew 23:16-24

           It’s very difficult to keep the main thing the main thing.  We’re often so impacted by life’s changes that w… Read More

    Saturday, October 7, 2023, John 10:16

           There’s comedy routine, often done between siblings (at least played out by actors pretending to be siblings) whe… Read More

    Friday, October 6, 2023, Zechariah 8:20-22

           We do God an injustice when we make the presumption that people who haven’t shared our specific human experiences… Read More

    Thursday, October 5, 2023, Isaiah 19:24-25; Romans 11:30-32

             It would seem that those who have been in hostile relationships with God’s people would be the last to be… Read More

    Wednesday, October 4, 2023, Matthew 12:9-13

           We all live with limitations in our lives.  There are some things which, for reasons of moral, ethical and/o… Read More

    Tuesday, October 3, 2023, Deuteronomy 23:7-8

           There is a song that was popular in the previous century, but whose words are indicative of a current reality…. Read More

    Monday, October 2, 2023, Isaiah 61:8

           There is an old saying which says, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”  It’s a phrase typically used… Read More

    Sunday, October 1, 2023, Isaiah 56:1-8

           The dictionary offers several definitions of the word maintain.  The word can mean to ‘keep in an existing s… Read More

    Saturday, September 30, 2023, Luke 18:2-5

           Jesus begins the story in this text explaining why the disciples should pray and never give up praying.  But… Read More

    Friday, September 29, 2024, Hebrews 10:4-7

           Somehow, we’ve understood God’s will to include a number of things.  At times, we’ve considered the conclusi… Read More

    Thursday, September 28, 2023, Isaiah 56:1-2

           We (members of the human family) tend to overly complicate things.  It’s not new for us.  God gave Mose… Read More

    Wednesday, September 27, 2023, Amos 5:22-24

           It’s difficult for us to believe that as much time as we in the church spend creating a meaningful and sacred wor… Read More

    Tuesday, September 26, 2023, Jeremiah 22:3

           Our God doesn’t seem to offer us a passive role in seeking justice as a way to live our lives.  It appears t… Read More

    Monday, September 25, 2023, Psalm 40:6-8

           When we think about sacrifices and offerings, we typically point to those things we give up (either willingly or… Read More

    Sunday, September 24, 2023, Micah 6:6-8

           Any time we come before our God we should come with all of the humility we can muster.  And perhaps that is… Read More

    Saturday, September 23, 2023, 1 Corinthians 4:4-5

          We desire to live our lives with a clear conscience.  And because having a clear conscience is the soft place to l… Read More

    Friday, September 22, 2023, Isaiah 1:11, 16-17

           We’re very good at telling ourselves that we’re doing the right thing.  When we go to church (whether in per… Read More

    Thursday, September 21, 2023, Luke 16:13-15a

           While cultures and world communities vary, in every culture or community I can think of, money is often the deter… Read More

    Wednesday, September 20, 2023, James 1:13-17

           Several years ago, the popular comedian named Flip Wilson coined a comedic phrase on his television show denying… Read More

    Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 1 Samuel 15:22-23a

           Arrogance is defined as “… an attitude of superiority shown by an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or… Read More

    Monday, September 18, 2023, Obadiah 1:3

           It’s been said before: “Pride goes before the fall…”.  We’ve seen it played out in our lives in real time as… Read More

    Sunday, September 17, 2023, Proverbs 21:2-3

           Humans — above all creation — have the inherent ability to deceive ourselves.  We create situations in our m… Read More

    Saturday, September 16, 2023 — Deuteronomy 16:19-20

           Fairness and equity are important if true justice is to be practiced, valued, and respected.  When our decis… Read More

    Friday, September 15, 2023, — Jeremiah 5:26-29

           It’s not enough for God’s people to only be aware that injustice exists.  Nor is it enough to know that thos… Read More

    Thursday, September 14, 2023 — Isaiah 10:1-2

           God’s sensitivity to the issues and dynamics of power that create systems of injustice is keen.  That we exi… Read More

    Wednesday, September 13, 2023 — 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

           If we’re honest with ourselves, no one ever benefits when injustice is widespread.  People who suffer injust… Read More

    Tuesday, September 12, 2023 — Deuteronomy 1:15-17c

           Things would be much simpler for us all if we could/would just follow God’s instructions.  Our human attempt… Read More

    Monday, September 11, 2023 — Deuteronomy 19:15-21 and Matthew 5:38-42

           It’s not very often we come across what appear to be contradictions in holy Scripture.  On one hand when a l… Read More

    Sunday, September 10, 2023, Exodus 23:1-8

           The cries for real and true justice flourish amidst the apparent indifference to what true justice is in the worl… Read More

    Saturday, September 9, 2023 – Exodus 23:6-8

           God’s laws are clear and succinct about those things we (as humans) are most likely to do in our efforts to perve… Read More

    Friday, September 8, 2023 – James 2:14-17

           There is no doubt that there is a connection between our faith and our works.  We often see those acts of me… Read More

    Thursday, September 7, 2023 – Matthew 25:34-40

           We never think of encountering Jesus Christ in the real sense of the word.  Our visions of him are often oth… Read More

    Wednesday, September 6, 2023 – Psalm 1:1-3

           Those of us born into faith beneath the umbrella of grace often give little thought to keeping God’s law as it’s… Read More

    Tuesday, September 5, 2023 – John 7:21-24

           There are times when we’d like nothing more than to separate the law of God from how we respond to each other’s n… Read More

    Monday, September 4, 2023 – John 13:12-17

           We live with the ongoing tension between receiving the grace of Jesus Christ and doing or practicing our religion… Read More

    Sunday, September 3, 2023 – James 1:22-27

           For many people the idea of being religious is all about believing in God and going to church.  If the subje… Read More

    Saturday, September 2, 2023 – Ephesians 6:18-20

           The light of God’s Spirit is captured in prayer.  Prayer is needed even more when we assume a role that plac… Read More

    Friday, September 1, 2023 – 1 John 2:1-2

           We get it that Jesus died for us, and we believe it.  It is a vital and essential part of our relationship t… Read More

    Thursday, August 31, 2023 – Isaiah 1:18-20

           At a time when God’s people believed in a wrathful God, to hear Isaiah writing of a God who is desperately seekin… Read More

    Wednesday, August 30 – Matthew 5:20-24

           The church has long been accused of always wanting money.  But while money is necessary in our culture to ef… Read More

    Tuesday, August 29, 2023 – Romans 14:7-9

           The lengths to which God has gone to extend to us the ministry of reconciliation has been amazing.  It wasn’… Read More

    Monday, August 28, 2023 – Romans 5:9-11

           Reconciliation is the proof  and the outcome of God’s love for us.  It justifies us and puts us in a ri… Read More

    Sunday, August 27, 2023 – 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

           We often speak of the forgiveness of God, especially as we experience God’s forgiveness in the light of our own s… Read More

    Saturday, August 26, 2023 – Habakkuk 2:18-20

           We have, by our own assent and permission, given ourselves over to the ardent and persistent worship of things…. Read More

    Friday, August 25, 2023 – 1 John 5:18-20

           There is a sharp contrast made between the true God who created us and those that are created by us.  The un… Read More

    Thursday, August 24, 2023 – Acts 17:29-31

           I’m always curious when I see religious “art”.  Even statues and images of Christ, however inaccurate they m… Read More

    Wednesday, August 23,2023 – Exodus 20:1-6

           That God would speak to us in words that we could understand and would write down is transformational.  It’s… Read More

    Tuesday, August 22, 2023 – Isaiah 46:5-9

           We are a nation of people who are accustomed to tests.  We run tests for everything — to see which car drive… Read More

    Monday, August 21, 2023 – Ezekiel 36:22-25

           It’s difficult for us to see clearly when our eyes and other senses are distracted by events and things and tools… Read More

    Sunday, August 20, 2023 – Psalm 135:15-18

           We live in a world where, for the most part, we are consumers.  We use all of our senses to experience our w… Read More

    Saturday, August 19, 2023 – Romans 5:1-5

           There is a great relief in all things —big and small — if we know in our hearts and minds that we have peace with… Read More

    Friday, August 18, 2023 – Ephesians 6:14-17

           Finding peace in the world comes with some basics, especially if we have an engaged and active relationship with… Read More

    Thursday, August 17, 2023 – John 14:27-28

           Life’s situations and challenges seem to have the unique ability to take us off our game.  All the peace we… Read More

    Wednesday, August 16, 2023 – Colossians 3:15-17

           Perhaps our greatest difficulty in life is getting rid of the things that cause worry and fear preventing God’s p… Read More

    Tuesday, August 15, 2023 – Matthew 5:25-27

           If we were to make a list of the things that destroy our sense of peace, there’s no telling how long that list wo… Read More

    Monday, August 14, 2023 – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

           Finding peace is a fairly simple recipe of life.  There are certain things that should become a part of our… Read More

    Sunday, August 13, 2023 – Philippians 4:1-9

           Peace is a long sought after, difficult thing to find.  And people have tried to find peace in various ways…. Read More

    Saturday, August 12, 2023 – James 5:4-6, and Sirach 4:1-2

             It’s not often that we see ourselves as wealthy — as people who live in luxury and pleasure.  And yet… Read More

    Friday, August 11, 2023 – Luke 6:30-32

           It’s difficult for us to think of being generous to the extent that we would give to everyone who begs from us…. Read More

    Thursday, August 10, 2023 – Proverbs 14:31

           A healthy relationship with the poor has often been strained by our need to characterize them as unwelcome and un… Read More

    Wednesday, August 9, 2023 – Matthew 15:24-27

           There are so many crumbs that fall from our tables.  There are even scraps of food that we throw away and wa… Read More

    Tuesday, August 8, 2023 – Deuteronomy 15:10-11

           The Jewish Study Bible uses the term kinsman instead of neighbor, meaning one who is related to you.  The Ne… Read More

    Monday, August 7, 2023 – Amos 5:12-15a

           In some ways, we are invited to see those who are poor as victims of a system of injustice.  There are times… Read More

    Sunday, August 6, 2023 – Isaiah 25:1-10a

           The Social Principles of our United Methodist Church offer us this understanding about the poor of our world, but… Read More

    Saturday, August 5, 2023, Romans 8:28-30

           When everything seems to be going all wrong and there’s no logic or reason to explain it, we usually look to our… Read More

    Friday, August 4, 2023, 2 Timothy 1:11-12

           One of the greatest challenges we face in life is understanding suffering.  And the type of suffering is irr… Read More

    Thursday, August 3, 2023, Ephesians 1:16-19a

           There are no words any truer than those that remind us that, “God is a mystery.”  And so, it’s difficult for… Read More

    Wednesday, August 2, 2023, Psalm 5:1-2

           When life is going sideways, the most difficult thing to do is to wait for God.  It’s difficult for many rea… Read More

    Tuesday, August 1, 2023, Lamentations 5:20-21

           I would imagine that it’s pretty easy to feel forgotten or ignored when our prayers seem to go unanswered.  … Read More

    Monday, July 31, 2023, Romans 8:19-21

           Waiting for God is the most difficult thing to do.  And we don’t wait alone.  Accordingly, all creation… Read More

    Sunday, July 30, 2023, Psalm 13:1-6

           There are times when there don’t seem to be any answers to life’s challenges.  It’s not unusual at those tim… Read More

    Saturday, July 29, 2023 – James 2:14-117

           There is much more to life than simply disclaiming the principles that Christ teaches us.  Bob Dylan once wr… Read More

    Friday, July 28, 2023 – Luke 6:30-32

           In some ways, our culture believes in an old adage “Give a person a fish and they can eat for a day.  Teach… Read More

    Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Luke 3:7-8, 10-11

           There are many philosophies and ideologies that people aspire to, even if they’ve chosen to reject Christ. … Read More

    Wednesday, July 26, 2023 – Matthew 15:24-27

           There are so many crumbs that fall from our tables.  There are even scraps of food that we throw away and wa… Read More

    Tuesday, July 25, 2023 – James 5:4-6

                      It’s not often that we see ourselves as wealthy… Read More

    Monday, July 24, 2023 – Amos 5:12-15a

           In some ways, we are all invited to see those who are poor as victims of a system of injustice.  There are t… Read More

    Sunday, July 23, 2023 – Luke 16:19-31

           The Social Principles of the United Methodist Church offer us this understanding about the poor of our world, but… Read More

    Saturday, July 22, 2023, Colossians 3:9-11

           The death of old habits and ways do not always come quickly, especially when we’re talking about being transforme… Read More

    Friday, July 21, 2023, Galatians 6:1c-4

           The idea that we are a part of a community is a welcoming thought.  That we are connected to one another giv… Read More

    Friday, July 28, 2023 – Luke 6:30-32

           In some ways, our culture believes in an old adage “Give a person a fish and they can eat for a day.  Teach… Read More

    Thursday, July 20, 2023, Ephesians 2:19-22

           I have to admit that when I look at myself in the mirror, I’m more likely to see my flaws and what’s changing in… Read More

    Wednesday, July 19, 2023, Isaiah 43:2-3

           One of the songs we sing as children is “Jesus Loves Me.”  The song is simple, but it misses a very salient… Read More

    Tuesday, July 18, 2023, 1 Peter 1:6-7

           Our character is shaped at times by a very grueling process.  Many of us would like to think that we simply… Read More

    Monday, July 17, 2023, Romans 15:17-20

    begins to support and give substance to who we are becoming.  Any changes in who we are should then be attributable to Christ, our foundation…. Read More

    Sunday, July 16, 2023, 1 Corinthians 3:10-17

           Much of what we do in life is determined by how we identify ourselves.  It’s not a one day, one time process… Read More

    Saturday, July 15 – Luke 5:20-25

           We tend to look for the most complex way to solve life’s problems.  Perhaps that’s our human nature — to fin… Read More

    Friday, July 14, 2023, Matthew 28:18-20

           Life as we know and live it is not easy.  If we’re honest about our relationship with God, then we live with… Read More

    Thursday, July 13, 2023, Ephesians 4:21-24

           Psychologists have suggested that it takes 21 days of consecutive practice to change a person’s behavior pattern…. Read More

    Wednesday, July 12, 2023, John 7:25-29

           There will always be perennial questions about how we might come to know God or be in an authentic relationship j… Read More

    Tuesday, July 11, 2023, Matthew 7:21-23

           It is impossible to know God without being in an authentic relationship with God.  And there is a difference… Read More

    Monday, July 10, 2023, 1 Corinthians 1:25-27

           It is probably a part of human nature to want to do things for ourselves.  God knows we’ve tried.  We h… Read More

    Sunday, July 9, 2023, Matthew 11:25-30

           We somehow forget that our relationship with Christ is one in which we are yoked together.  Perhaps it is be… Read More

    Saturday, July 8, 2023, Mark 5:25-29; 33-34

           When a miracle occurs in the bible, we tend to point to the powers of the supernatural as the source of our heali… Read More

    Friday, July 7, 2023, Luke 18:9-14

           It’s amazing how our self-image and need to be recognized by God for what we do can interfere with a healthy rela… Read More

    Thursday, July 6, 2023, 2 Kings 5:10-12

           I can remember being in school, and one of the most significant programs of the entire school was “Awards Day”…. Read More

    Wednesday, July 5, 2023, John 9:1-7

           In some ways, many of us are born blind.  We are blind to the beauty around us; blind to the evil around us;… Read More

    Tuesday, July 4, 2023, Revelation 7:13-14 – Independence Day

           The human family is famous for our creativity — our ability to create ways to solve problems of a complex nature…. Read More

    Monday, July 3, 2023, 1 John 1:5-7

           Our disease — that thing which keeps us walking around in darkness and is the leprosy that affects our souls — is… Read More

    Sunday, July 2, 2023, 2 Kings 5:1-14

           We live in a world where accomplished people are everywhere.  And yet, the nature of our accomplishments doe… Read More

    Saturday, June 10, 2023, John 13:31-35

           Too often we try to make the work of Christ and the church too difficult.  Perhaps we feel overwhelmed by th… Read More

    Friday, June 9, 2023, Acts 2:32-36

           The question of who is in charge is often asked by those seeking to know from whom they should get their instruct… Read More

    Thursday, June 8, 2023, John 20:19-22

           Jesus’ words to us have always resonated with the belief that our work is done out of faithfulness to God.  … Read More

    Wednesday, June 7, 2023, John 3:35-36

           It would seem that all things in the eyes of God find their center in love.  There is God’s love for us…. Read More

    Tuesday, June 6, 2023, Luke 24:50-53

           Worshiping anyone other than God was typically reserved for political leaders and emperors.  But that has al… Read More

    Monday, June 5, 2023, Matthew 28:7-10

           Faithfulness can be a scary thing.  First, one must have belief in what they are being faithful to.  An… Read More

    Sunday, June 4, 2023, Matthew 28:16-20

           Those who claim to be disciples of Jesus Christ are a unique group of people (me included).  We do phenomena… Read More

    Saturday, June 3, 2023, John 16:13-15

           Our faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is often in question by those who don’t believe as we believe.  … Read More

    Friday, June 2, 2023, 1 John 2:27-28

           The Holy Spirit of God dwells within each of us.  That is God’s promise fulfilled.  And it is that Spir… Read More

    Thursday, June 1, 2023, 1 Corinthians 2:12-14

           I was once intrigued by a television program that was being aired in Spanish.  I listened for some time befo… Read More

    Wednesday, May 31, 2023, Romans 8:10-11

           We are often oblivious to the presence of the Holy Spirit living inside of us.  Because of that, I’m not cer… Read More

    Tuesday, May 30, 2023, Hebrews 1:1-3b

           God’s people have longed to hear God’s voice above the clamor of the world.  And while we have not always wa… Read More

    Monday, May 29, 2023, Exodus 33:18-23

           Our desire to fully know God dates from antiquity.  It’s borne of our desire to experience the fullness of G… Read More

    Sunday, May 28, 2023, John 14:15-21; 25-27

           One of the strongest needs of the human family is the need to be in relationship.  Relationship is the purpo… Read More

    Saturday, May 20, 2023, John 17:20-23a

           A lot of emphasis placed on the importance of being in unity with others.  Solidarity is a valued and honore… Read More

    Friday, May 19, 2023, Psalm 28:6-9

           We experience joy in our relationship with the Lord when our cries of distress have been heard.  Out of God’… Read More

    Thursday, May 18, 2023, Nahum 1:6-8a

           In the broad landscape of things in life, from the greatest to the smallest, God is truly untouchable.  Ther… Read More

    Wednesday, May 17, 2023, Deuteronomy 32:36-39

           Safety and security are hallmarks of human need.  We desire it from the cradle to the grave.  Our desir… Read More

    Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 1 John 2:24-25

           Sometimes safety is found, not in what you see, but in what you believe deeply in your heart.  The outside c… Read More

    Monday, May 15, 2023, John 1:45-49

           The full identity of Jesus is and has always been a matter of people’s questions and doubts.  From the momen… Read More

    Sunday, May 14, 2023, John 10:22-30

           The world is sometimes a hostile place.  Identify theft has increased our need to protect ourselves from tho… Read More

    Saturday, May 13, 2023, Luke 7:47-50

           Forgiveness is a highly underrated source of power in our world.  Some people think of forgiveness as an act… Read More

    Friday, May 12, 2023, Colossians 1:15-20

           The very essence of God is revealed in Jesus.  While some people may doubt who he was, those of us who have… Read More

    Thursday, May 11, 2023, Exodus 33:17-19

           I believe it is the deepest desire of all people of faith to want to see the fullness of God.  It seems for… Read More

    Wednesday, May 10, 2023, John 17:25-26

          Doing the greatest thing in God and Christ comes as a conferred gift of prayer.  It is an essential part of God’s… Read More

    Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 1 John 5:19-20

           Our efforts to do the greatest thing in the world doesn’t have to come at great expense of time and energy from u… Read More

    Monday, May 8, 2023, Ephesians 2:15-18

           There are those for whom access to God has been deemed impossible.  For them, the very idea of approaching G… Read More

    Sunday, May 7, 2023, John 14:1-12 (NRSV)

           The desire to do great things is an aspiration of many people.  There is also a common belief that in order… Read More

    Saturday, May 6, 2023, John 5:37-40

           Life can be described in many ways.  And as many ways as there are to describe it, there are probably ways i… Read More

    Friday, May 5, 2023, Psalm 23:1-4

           When we accept Jesus as our shepherd and follow him, we also acknowledge and accept David’s image of a good sheph… Read More

    Thursday, May 4, 2023, Ezekiel 34:1-2

           Just as the sheep are supposed to be faithful when they are called to follow the shepherd, there is also an expec… Read More

    Wednesday, May 3, 2023, Luke 6:46-49

           It’s one thing to proclaim a relationship with someone.  It’s another thing to claim that relationship by ut… Read More

    Tuesday, May 2, 2023, John 10:27-30

           Often the liabilities of following Jesus are spoken of in terms of things Christians have to give up.  There… Read More

    Monday, May 1, 2023, Mark 6:34

           Compassion is an integral part of a caring relationship.  It doesn’t mean that the ones on whom you show com… Read More

    Sunday, April 30, 2023, John 10:1-10

           We live in a world where many voices are calling out to us.  They come from different places and spaces and… Read More

    Saturday, April 29, 2023, Colossians 2:13-14

           One of the most difficult truths to deal with is the reality of our sins.  It’s not that we do them.  W… Read More

    Friday, April 28, 2023, Hebrews 2:9-10

           We don’t necessarily think of suffering as a good thing.  Perhaps it’s because we work so hard in all our li… Read More

    Thursday, April 27, 2023, 1 Timothy 1:12-14

           Ignorance is a difficult thing to justify.  Sometimes ignorance is a choice we make.  It comes from our… Read More

    Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 1 Peter 1:21-22

           Coming to the truth is filled with the blessings of God.  It additionally gives us the freedom to respond to… Read More

    Tuesday, April 25, 2023, Acts 22:12-15

           We do not all come to God’s truth at the same time.  For some, it is revealed little by little until the eye… Read More

    Monday, April 24, 2023, John 8:53-56

           The beauty of coming to God’s truth is that it doesn’t speak just for the current moment.  Coming to God’s t… Read More

    Sunday, April 23, 202, Acts 3:12-19

           Some people would say truth is subjective.  Those who believe that have developed a carefully constructed wo… Read More

    Saturday, April 22, 2023, John 14:7-11

           The world has spent an inordinate amount of time trying to prove and disprove the events surrounding Jesus’ death… Read More

    Friday, April 21, 2023, 1 Peter 1:8-9

           The difficulty in believing in someone or something that you’ve never seen requires an act of faith. Faith is des… Read More

    Thursday, April 20, 2023, 2 Corinthians 5:5-7

           Faith is our most powerful resource.  Faith is that intangible element that enables us to hold on when every… Read More

    Wednesday, April 19, 2023, Matthew 18:18-20

           We don’t often think of ourselves as having any power to affect things.  And yet, God has conferred upon Chr… Read More

    Tuesday, April 18, 2023, Colossians 3:12-15

           Peace is an elusive quality in our lives.  We are, perhaps, by nature an anxious people.  We’re nervous… Read More

    Monday, April 17, 2023, Matthew 17:5-8

           Unexpected experiences of encounters with God literally present in our world often catch us by surprise and frigh… Read More

    Sunday, April 16, 2023, John 20:19-31

           We should not be surprised by how many times we are stopped by life’s events.  We’re fearful and doubtful ab… Read More

    Saturday, April 15, 2023, Luke 2:16-17

           The idea that there may be news too good to keep is neither new, nor novel.  From the time that Jesus arrive… Read More

    Friday, April 14, 2023, 1 Kings 5:4-7

           There will always be events that happen in our lives that we just will not be able to keep to ourselves.  It… Read More

    Thursday, April 13, 2023, Philippians 2:9-11

           Holy Scripture is clear.  Jesus appeared.  And the expected outcome of his appearing was that one day e… Read More

    Wednesday, April 12, 2023, Genesis 24:22-28

           We are, at times, given the occasion to meet someone that creates a circumstance of unexpected joy in our lives…. Read More

    Tuesday, April 11, 2023, Luke 15:8-9

           To have good news is one thing.  And perhaps to have discovered something that restores your hope, and repla… Read More

    Monday, April 10, 2023, Luke 1:10-13; 21-22

           There are times when the news of something special changes our reality.  If it’s really, really good news, w… Read More

    Sunday, April 9, 2023, Matthew 28:1-10 – Easter Day

           There is nothing that moves us like fear and joy.  Fear is often a great motivator because it raises the lev… Read More

    Saturday, April 8, 2023, Matthew 27:45-47, 49-50

           The very idea that there is no hope signals the end.  It is the end of everything, for if there is no hope,… Read More

    Friday, April 7, 2023, Psalm 22:11-18

           Helplessness is an overwhelming feeling.  It’s as if all time slows down and all activity within that enviro… Read More

    Thursday, April 6, 2023, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

           The institution of Holy Communion is not to be taken lightly.  While the table of our Christ is an open tabl… Read More

    Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 2 Kings 9:13

           Long before the laying of a cloak over a puddle in the road for a lady to cross was chivalrous, people laid their… Read More

    Tuesday, April 4, 2023, Revelations 7:9-10

           At a time in history when Jesus was entering the Holy City for Passover, the people shouted, “Hosanna in the high… Read More

    Monday, April 3, 2023, Zechariah 9:9-10

           When I was a child, my father would, from time to time, say, “Mark my word.”  It was a term used at that tim… Read More

    Sunday, April 2, 2023, Matthew 21:1-11

           We typically enter Holy Week knowing what’s going to happen.  Unlike those days when it was happening in rea… Read More

    Saturday, April 1, 2023, Colossians 1:25-27

           Far too often we only see what our eyes allow us to see.  We have our hunches and our intuition, but at time… Read More

    Friday, March 31, 2023, 1 John 4:11-15

           If all we see when we look at each other is who we are physically, then we miss God’s most glorious act of grace…. Read More

    Thursday, March 30, 2023, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

           We aren’t too far removed from our 1st Century Christian friends.  While fornication literally pointed to “f… Read More

    Wednesday, March 29, 2023, Galatians 5:22-25

           The fruit of the Spirit is something that we all hope to experience in our lifetime.  If it’s not something… Read More

    Tuesday, March 28, 2023, James 4:4-5

           When James shouted “Adulterers!”, he wasn’t talking about our contemporary understanding of an affair with anothe… Read More

    Monday, March 27, 2023, Galatians 6:7-9

           It has been said that right is right.  But apparently there is a distinction between what is right as it rel… Read More

    Sunday, March 26, 2023, Romans 8:3-11

           We tend to believe (most of the time) that we are only human.  That is our default.  Whether we’re doin… Read More

    Saturday, March 25, 2023, Hebrews 9:24-26

           There’s something about doing something repeatedly that speaks volumes about the impermanence of that thing we do… Read More

    Friday, March 24, 2023, Romans 12:1-2 (NRSV)

           It is our nature (at least for those who have accepted Christ) to believe that we have no responsibility at all f… Read More

    Thursday, March 23, 2023, Mark 12:32-34a

           There is a huge difference between knowledge and application — between theory and reality.  In fact, we have… Read More

    Wednesday, March 22, 2023, 1 Samuel 15:21-22

           For ages we’ve done things in an effort to appease God, believing that if we offered gifts and sacrifices, they w… Read More

    Tuesday, March 21, 2023, 1 Peter 2:22-24

           I’m not sure we often think about what happens when the righteous die for the unrighteous. Perhaps it’s because w… Read More

    Monday, March 20, 2023, Hebrews 9:12-14

           A perfect sacrifice does more than give the illusion that things are in order.  It sets them in order in inv… Read More

    Sunday, March 19, 2023, Hebrews 10:4-10

           The idea of giving up something in order to gain something else isn’t a new concept.  It’s actually built in… Read More

    Saturday, March 18, 2023, Matthew 21:31-32 (NRSV)

           The world is full of peculiar people who constantly look for proof of God’s reality, and yet, the proof of God is… Read More

    Friday, March 17, 2023, Jeremiah 13:22-23 (NRSV)

           It is perhaps our nature to look beyond our behavior as an answer to why we find ourselves in a certain position… Read More

    Thursday, March 16, 2023, Joel 2:12-14 (NRSV)

           A part of life reminds us that we are not in control.  That realization compels us to seek someone to take responsibil… Read More

    Wednesday, March 15, 2023, Luke 13:34-35 (NRSV)

           There appears to be a theme which runs throughout the Bible that suggests that God, more than anything else, want… Read More

    Tuesday, March 14, 2023, Psalm 81:10-11 (NRSV)

           There is an old saying not heard much anymore, but just as valid: “You’ve made your bed; now you have to lie in i… Read More

    Monday, March 13, 2023, Psalm 66:1-3 (NRSV)

           We are a forgetful people.  Too often, we develop periodic amnesia and forget what God has done for us…. Read More

    Sunday, March 12, 2023, Psalm 95:1-11 (NRSV)

           It is the nature of the human family (at least those who believe in God) to question the circumstances of our lif… Read More

    Saturday, March 11, 2023, Galatians 3:10-11

           There is no doubt that we all depend on something, especially as it relates to our relationship with God.  M… Read More

    Friday, March 10, 2023, Romans 3:22b-26

           Have you ever really thought about what it is to receive a gift?  A gift is special in that it isn’t earned…. Read More

    Thursday, March 9, 2023, Galatians 3:21-23

           Uncertainty is a plague of fear.  When we live in uncertainty, we find that we can’t trust much of anything…. Read More

    Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 2 Corinthians 5:21-6:2

           One of the ways we can dishonor a person’s gift to us is to not use it.  In some ways it’s an insult.  … Read More

    Tuesday, March 7, 2023, Deuteronomy 9:6-7

           We are forever separated from God because of our stubbornness.  We at times know the right thing to do and d… Read More

    Monday, March 6, 2023, Ephesians 2:8-10

           There is no more descriptive and satisfying scripture of truth and freedom than to know we have been saved by som… Read More

    Sunday, March 5, 2023, Romans 4:1-8, 13-17

           We live in a world where guarantees are an expectation of the culture.  This is especially true when we purc… Read More

    Saturday, March 4, 2023, Matthew 5:14-16

           Knowing who we are requires a certain action on our part.  It requires that we function according to the per… Read More

    Friday, March 3, 2023, Romans 2:19-21

           We don’t often think about it, but self-knowledge is a prerequisite for teaching others how to recognize their tr… Read More

    Thursday, March 2, 2023, Matthew 23:23-24

           Lack of clarity about who we are opens the door to faulty practices of faith that are misleading to us and others… Read More

    Wednesday, March 1, 2023, Deuteronomy 6:12-15c

           It is a special privilege to be called a child of God.  It’s not a name that we take.  It’s a name that… Read More

    Tuesday, February 28, 2023, John 6:28-30

            We are forever looking for God to do something to prove God’s identity to us. Perhaps that’s a part of who… Read More

    Monday, February 27, 2023, Hebrews 4:14-16

           There may, in fact, be some solace in recognizing that we are not alone in life’s challenges.  It’s in those… Read More

    Sunday, February 26, 2023, Matthew 4:1-11

           Someone was once quoted as saying about those of us who define ourselves as Christian: “We should so live our liv… Read More

    Saturday, February 25, 2023, Psalm 16:7-8

           Faith has many components.  Of those variables of faith, we are called to respond to God in different circum… Read More

    Friday, February 24, 2023, Matthew 25:1-4

           Too often we think of faith as being nothing more than a spiritual exercise — something which, once the believing… Read More

    Thursday, February 23, 2023, Luke 13:25-27

           There is much religious conversation among Christians about how important it is to know Jesus Christ.  And i… Read More

    Wednesday, February 22, 2023, Romans 2:13-15

           The argument of grace versus works has gone on for what seems like an eternity.  Those who argue for grace m… Read More

    Tuesday, February 21, 2023, James 2:14-17

           Sometimes we forget that faith — our faith — is an action taken on our part on behalf of our belief in God…. Read More

    Monday, February 20, 2023, Acts 20:29-31

           We always live with the danger of people telling us things about God and Christ, and about our relationship with… Read More

    Sunday, February 19, 2023, Matthew 7:15-29

           Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God.  But we must also remind ourselves that at times our f… Read More

    Saturday, February 18, 2023, 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

           There are certain things we do in life, many of which are done to prove we are right.  And I guess there is… Read More

    Friday, February 17, 2023, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

            It’s amazing that we have so many wonderful gifts to be used to benefit the common good of the world, and y… Read More

    Thursday, February 16, 2023, Hebrews 13:1-2

           One of the responsibilities of a trustee is that the thing we’ve been given to take care of doesn’t get abused or… Read More

    Wednesday, February 15, 2023, James 5:19-20

           When we think of being trustees of God, we don’t typically think that our range of responsibility reaches to thos… Read More

    Tuesday, February 14, 2023, 1 Peter 1:13-16

           As trustees of God, it seems that there is more to life than simply keeping and maintain a trust.  It also s… Read More

    Monday, February 13, 2023, 2 Corinthians 5:13-15

           One of the most difficult things we will ever encounter is giving up our control.  We live most of our lives… Read More

    Sunday, February 12, 2023, 1 Peter 4:1-2, 6-11

           From the beginning of time, we’ve been designated as the keeper of things.  By keeper, I don’t mean one who… Read More

    Saturday, February 11, 2023, 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-8

           It is amazing what simply valuing others as an act of caring will do.  It invites us to extend ourselves bey… Read More

    Friday, February 10, 2023, Galatians 5:13-15

    A lack of caring and indifference is noticeably present in our world today.  This is not true across the board, but it does lead people in some w… Read More

    Thursday, February 9, 2023, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

           The ministry of caring, actually, goes beyond acts of mercy.  It’s exhibited in ways that simply invite us t… Read More

    Wednesday, February 8, 2023, Romans 12:15-18

           Empathy is one of the most powerful ways to care for and be emotionally and spiritually present with others…. Read More

    Tuesday, February 7, 2023, Romans 12:4-6

    There is no doubt in the world that we’re all different.  Science has shown the power of God to create diversity in our lives.  But because… Read More

    Monday, February 6, 2023, 1 Corinthians 12:12:28-31

           We’ve been created by God differently so that we would come to be interdependent rather than independent.  T… Read More

    Sunday, February 5, 2023, 1 Corinthians 12:14-27

           Most of us who live our lives in the Christian faith live them unaware of the spiritual gifts that God has given… Read More

    Saturday, February 4, 2023, 1 Peter 5:8-11

           For all that we are, and however we might see the world and those around us, we represent those in the world who… Read More

    Friday, February 3, 2023, Acts 9:17-19

           God has always been in the restoration business — taken people from one broken state to a renewed state of being…. Read More