Articles
Advent Stories: So Close, Yet So Far From Christmas
I would have joined those shepherds and angels in worshipping him. I would have given him my heart and life. I would have told the story to everyone I could. He would have been at the center of that Christmas celebration, and of my life. If only I'd known who he was.
Messengers of God's Hope
This Advent season, how are you preparing the way for God to come into your life? In the midst of the darkness and brokenness all around, how are you opening yourself to receive the babe born in Bethlehem? What sort of road “broad and smooth” are you clearing in your heart? In this time of waiting and watching, how will you be a messenger of God's hope?
A Reading of Hope
The message of Jesus gives us hope when all else fails. It is the love of Jesus that keeps the spirit of God alive in our midst.
Give with God’s Blessing
So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and use your gifts to God’s glory and don’t forget to thank the One who gave them to you.
Stewardship-Breaking Bread in the Early Church
They reached out to and helped others without reservation, without restriction. Whoever asked, received. It looks like we still have a lot of work to do.
Stewardship-Jesus Knocks on the Door
Jesus tells us to hold onto our faith so it will be our solid rock of support when we need it. Correction—Jesus will be our solid rock of support when we need him.
Hold On to Faith
By letting the spirit guide our thoughts we can become calm until we let the kindness of the Lord our God be over us and the works of our hands last. May all of us Hold on to our faith.
Stewardship-Eating Jesus’ Flesh
Jesus wants his followers to be like a well-made loaf of bread, nourishing and filling. Above all else, Jesus wants us to share his love just as we share the cup and the loaf at the communion table—a place where all are welcome. Stewardship is less about what we do, and more about what God does for and with us.
Stewardship-From East and West
We are stewards of Christ’s message of love and redemption. We should not hoard it and hide it. It is not our place to decide who are worthy, who is allowed to sit at Christ’s table. Jesus says people from all over will come and eat plenty.
Where is God?
Where is God?
My answer: God is our ability to choose how we will react to any situation that confronts us.
God is our ability to choose how we will react to any situation that confronts us.
Whether we choose to react with loathing or love. In love, there is God. Whether we choose to react with hate or healing. In healing, there is God. Whether we choose to react with division or togetherness.
Stewardship-The Last Supper
Jesus gave of Himself—body, blood—to bring redemption to us and reconcile us to God. He has set the example for us. Stewardship is more than just giving money to build up God’s Realm. Stewardship involves all of our being—heart, soul, time, talent.
Being Peaceful and Brave
We can see ourselves brave. We can lay our armor down and put our pride aside. To welcome God’s beloved community fully. To embrace the vision of the Beloved Community, not some revenge fantasy. For the beloved community is good news. It shall stop our warring madness. If we are brave enough to act on it. Not just intend it with thoughts and prayers, but actively engage in the work.
You’ve Got to Have Skin in the Game
Maturing people know the future is really important and they lean into it, they move forward because that’s where the finish line is, where the race is accomplished.
Children in the Bible
Children give back to us what God’s kingdom is really like; they teach us what the world is meant to be.
The Journey of Christian Maturity
Spiritual maturity grasps the truth that God is involved in our world, accomplishing his redemptive purposes and that when he lay hold of me, he invited me into that process as well, to be part of his church, to pursue his redemptive purposes in this world, to lay hold of that which Christ lay hold of us. What could be more important in our lives?
The Conspiracy of Kindness
The destiny that we have, you and I, is the very real transformation of our lives, the renovation of our hearts, it’s what God longs for, it’s why He gave the Son for, it’s why he poured out the spirit, it’s why he formed the church. He wanted a people who more and more resembled his Son Jesus in the way they lived their lives, in the things they valued, how they talk, how they speak of others and how they treat others, and how they serve others. He did not want just a bunch of nice people, he wanted people who sacrificially served in his name.
Being Stars Against the Dark Night
“Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus”
How to Be of the Same Mind
We pray, Lord, that you would help us learn to walk with humility, to walk in the light of the cross and to serve freely, and fully, and joyfully one another as long as we have opportunity.
Expressing Humility and Service to Others
The New Testament tells us that we cannot love God, who we have not seen, if we fail to love those who we can see.
Joyfulness and God’s Sovereignty, Part II
If we only look at the black dot we’re going to despair. But if we can learn to see the bigger picture, to look at the right places, we can see God’s hand at work.