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“Simple Rules”
September 24, 2023
“What God Wants”
September 17, 2023
“True Justice”
September 10, 2023
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    Join us each Wednesday at noon via ZOOM for an in depth study on the Revelation of Jo… Read More

    “God’s Justice for Our Time” begins a sermon series that focuses on justice as an imp… Read More

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    WeeklyDevotions
    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

    Thursday, February 2, 2023, Matthew 12:9-13

           Restoring life is not easy.  Sometimes to make people whole again — to restore life to them — it means cross… Read More

    Wednesday, February 1, 2023, John 4:7-9

           The biggest destroyer of life in any age or culture is our unwillingness to embrace those who are different from… Read More

    Tuesday, January 31, 2023, Luke 16:14-15

           We are so good at the art of justifying ourselves.  We want to be right (or righteous), and yet we’re not li… Read More

    Monday, January 30, 2023, John 8:3-6b

           In every act of righteousness toward God, there seems to be a test that comes to us, helping us to determine exac… Read More

    Sunday, January 29, 2023, Luke 10:25-27

           We are a people whose characteristic trait is to value life.  It’s when life and lives are broken, or in som… Read More

    Saturday, January 28, 2023, James 4:2-3

           How disappointing it is to desire something and not be able to get it.  It cuts right through to the heart of our desi… Read More

    Friday, January 27, 2023, Matthew 7:7-11

           Wisdom — at least God’s wisdom — invites us to come openly to God in search of those things that are hidden in our hearts —… Read More

    Thursday, January 26, 2023, Proverbs 1:20-23

           “Experience keeps a dear school — a fool will learn in no other.”  Those are well remembered words from Benjamin Frank… Read More

    Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 1 John 5:14-15

           Many of our decisions are made without discernment about giving consideration to God’s will.  To that end, we often fi… Read More

    Tuesday, January 24, 2023, Proverbs 2:6-8

           I play chess occasionally.  Regardless of what people say, it’s a game that requires knowledge — knowledge about the b… Read More

    Monday, January 23, 2023, Proverbs 3:13-16

    If we could ask for anything, I’m quite confident that wisdom would not be at the top of our list.  When we think of things, we typically turn to… Read More

    Sunday, January 22, 2023, 1 Kings 3:1-13

            There are many people who live with the dream of being rich beyond their wildest dreams.  This can be determined by t… Read More

    Saturday, January 21, 2023, Revelation 3:14-16

           Being wishy-washy — uncertain of where we stand or what we stand for is almost never an admirable personality trait.  … Read More

    Friday, January 20, 2023, Luke 6:46-48

           There is something reassuring about ordering our lives according to wha t we believe and say while being consistent in that… Read More

    Thursday, January 19, 2023, Jeremiah 13:16-17

           God weeps for us when we have allowed ourselves to be “taken captive” by other gods.  It’s a difficult thing for God t… Read More

    Wednesday, January 18, 2023, Genesis 18:19

           God’s expectation of faithfulness happens because we are chosen to experience it.  There is also the expectation that… Read More

    Tuesday, January 17, 2023, Deuteronomy 10:12-13

           There are times when we think of God’s requirements as a real pain.  So many times we hear the “don’t do’s” of our fai… Read More

    Monday, January 16, 2023, Acts 7:2-3

           We can’t imagine what it’s like to be told by God to leave everything we’re familiar with and to go to a place where we wou… Read More

    Sunday, January 15, 2023, Joshua 24:1-3a; 14-25

    Loyalty, faithfulness, commitment, core values and principles — these are all human qualities that everyone will reckon with in their lifetime.  … Read More

    Saturday, January 14, 2023, Romans 8:1-4

           There is a significant difference in being free from the law of sin and death to practice the law of the Spirit.  The… Read More

    Friday, January 13, 2023, James 2:8-10

           The nature of our lives in Christ is really tied to the Great Commandment.  It’s a more powerful connection to our rel… Read More

    Thursday, January 12, 2023, Galatians 3:23-26

           Perhaps the greatest gift of God is the gift of forgiveness that comes by faith in Jesus Christ. We’re not always conscious… Read More

    Wednesday, January 11, 2023, Romans 3:28-31

           It’s difficult for us to view grace, faith, and law in the same light.  It seems that the law is so restrictive and pu… Read More

    Tuesday, January 10, 2023, Ephesians 5:8-14

           It’s an overwhelming thought to consider that everything that we did could be exposed and seen by everyone we knew.  A… Read More

    Monday, January 9, 2023, Philemon 1:4-6

           It’s not often that we think about whether or not the sharing of our faith has become effective. For the most part, we do w… Read More

    Sunday, January 8, 2023, Matthew 5:13-20

           Almost every person considered to be great in our time and culture has succumbed to certain laws and principle to achieve t… Read More

    Saturday, January 7, 2023, Luke 24:15-16

            There are many stories told in the Bible where people were with Jesus and never recognized him. Mary met him in the Garden… Read More

    Friday, January 6, 2023, Ezekiel 34:17

           Biblical images of God as judge over his people are laced throughout the biblical text. And the notion of God as judge make… Read More

    Thursday, January 5, 2023, Psalm 37:22

    There seems to be a concurrent them running through the reality of God’s judgment on humanity.  Those who are blessed by the LORD stand to inheri… Read More

    Wednesday, January 4, 2023, James 2:15-17

    There is no doubt that our hearts are often in the right place.  We’d like to see those who are hungry with food, those who are naked with clothe… Read More

    Tuesday, January 3, 2023, Job 22:5-7

           Poor Job.  Not only is he now numbered among the least of these God’s children, but his friends are leveling the charg… Read More

    Monday, January 2, 2023, Isaiah 58:6-7

           The prophet Isaiah raises the issue of how we live in relationship with God and how we honor our relationship with God by l… Read More

    Sunday, January 1, 2023, Matthew 25:31-46

           Jesus has something to say about the way we live and the way we care for one another.  Matthew has placed this event a… Read More

    Saturday, December 31, 2022, Titus 2:11-13

                      We often think of the baby Jesus at this time o… Read More

    Friday, December 30, 2022, Matthew 1:18-23

                      Humanity has lived in a relationship separated… Read More

    Thursday, December 29, 2022, Luke 2:27-32

                      God’s actions are filled with assurance and pro… Read More

    Wednesday, December 28, 2022, Luke 1:62-66

                      Not much in life moves us any longer.  We… Read More

    Tuesday, December 27, 2022, Isaiah 9:2, & 6

                      The promise of God’s realized hope was planted… Read More

    Monday, December 26, 2022, Galatians 3:23-26

                      The idea of becoming, much less being children… Read More

    Sunday, December 25, 2022, John 1:1-9; 14-18

                      It’s difficult for us to imagine a world that i… Read More

    Saturday, December 24, 2022, Ephesians 2:14-17

                      Peace has been defined as something more than j… Read More

    Friday, December 23, 2022, Colossians 1:19-20

                      We aren’t the first culture to seek immediate g… Read More

    Thursday, December 22, 2022, Isaiah 40:10-11

                      It’s difficult for us to see a baby as being po… Read More

    Wednesday, December 21, 2022, Micah 4:9-10

                      There is nothing at all peaceful about a woman… Read More

    Tuesday, December 20, 2022, Daniel 7:13-14

                      The one who is the Ancient of Days — the eterna… Read More

    Monday, December 19, 2022, Luke 2:1-6

                      It is a time when all eyes begin to point towar… Read More

    Sunday, December 18, 2022, Micah 5:2-5a

                      We each search for peace in our own way. … Read More

    Saturday, December 17, 2022, Isaiah 65:18-19

                      We receive a certain kind of surprise and joy w… Read More

    Friday, December 16, 2022, Isaiah 61:8-9

                      The entire notion of moving from one who has li… Read More

    Thursday, December 15, 2022, Isaiah 60:13-14

                      There is nothing more joyful than knowing that… Read More

    Wednesday, December 14, 2022, Jeremiah 32:37-41

                      It takes a relationship of experience with God,… Read More

    Tuesday, December 13, 2022, Isaiah 35:3-4

                      It’s one thing to be given instructions on what… Read More

    Monday, December 12, 2022, Zechariah 2:10-11

                      There is always a sense of excitement around so… Read More

    Sunday, December 11, 2022, Zephaniah 3:14-20

                      It’s difficult for us to imagine being removed… Read More

    Saturday, December 10, 2022, Colossians 1:9-12

                One sure way to know that our hope is a prepared hope is through our prayers and th… Read More

    Friday, December 9, 2022, Isaiah 1:13-14; 18-19

                There is a point at which all that we do to prepare ourselves becomes nothing more… Read More

    Thursday, December 8, 2022, Zechariah 13:8-9

                Our greatest hope is that God will finally and fully claim us.  In some ways t… Read More

    Wednesday, December 7, 2022, Joel 2:11-12

                How does one prepare for something that they really are ill equipped to prepare for… Read More

    Tuesday, December 6, 2022, Isaiah 40:1-5

                When we are faced with the prospect of good news — news that comes as the fulfillme… Read More

    Monday, December 5, 2022, Matthew 3:1-3

                There are always things to do when trying to make ourselves ready for a royal guest… Read More

    Sunday, December 4, 2022, Malachi 3:1-4

                We are never so far removed from a situation as when we are unprepared to meet it…. Read More

    Saturday, December 3, 2022, 1 Corinthians 1:27-31

           There are times when we are blind to the things we don’t know.  As one person has wisely admitted, “We don’t know what… Read More

    Friday, December 2, 2022, Ezekiel 34:25-26

    We presently live in a world where safety and security of all of its citizenry is in question.  The rise in gun violence threats of violence agai… Read More

    Thursday, December 1, 2022, Romans 8:22-25

           Waiting is one of the most difficult things we do, especially if we’re waiting for something that we’ve longed for, but has… Read More

    Wednesday, November 30, 2022, Psalm 4:4-8

           It is, perhaps, one of our greatest hopes that we live in safety.  Our world seems to be in such turmoil that safety a… Read More

    Tuesday, November 29, 2022, Isaiah 11:1-5

           One of our greatest hopes is God’s promise of justice and righteousness.  We try as much as we can to institute it as… Read More

    Monday, November 28, 2022, Jeremiah 29:10-14

           The hope of God’s promise has been with God’s people for years.  When those hopes have become a reality, God has alway… Read More

    Sunday, November 27, 2022 – 1st Week of Advent, Jeremiah 33:14-16

           Nothing quite comes over us as powerful as the emotion of anticipation.  We feel it in our bodies in ways that our bra… Read More

    Saturday, November 26,2022, Psalm 150

           We’ve become constrained in our praise of God.  We’re constrained to the point of limiting how and where we offer up o… Read More

    Friday, November 25, 2022, Ezekiel 10:3-4

           The idea of the God’s glory filling the space of the sanctuary eludes us.  It’s certainly not one of those experiences… Read More

    Thursday, November 24, 2022 (Thanksgiving Day), Psalm 118:26-29

    We experience life in different contexts. Some of us experience pain, disappointment, frustration and sorrow.  But those are not the only experie… Read More

    Wednesday, November 23, 2022, Psalm 65:1-4

           I’m fairly confident that most people are more focused on what is going wrong in their lives than what is going right…. Read More

    Tuesday, November 22, 2022, Psalm 43:3-4

           One of the most devastating things in life can be walking around in darkness, living with falsehoods and untruths, and not… Read More

    Monday, November 21, 2022, 1 Chronicles 25:1-3

           There are those of us who decry the use of other than what we’ve come to know as standard instrumentation in worship. We ac…