Reflections on Philippians 4:1–8 In Philippians 4:1–8, Paul writes to a beloved community experiencing tension and division. Two faithful leaders, Euodia and Syntyche, have found themselves at odds, and their…
Deuteronomy 8:10–18 When Moses addressed the Israelites in Deuteronomy 8, he was preparing them for a new chapter of life—a land overflowing with abundance and promise. Yet, even as he…
Psalm 100 is one of the most joyful and enduring invitations to worship in all of Scripture. Written for Hebrew worship, it reminds us that worship is not only a…
Ezra 3: 8-13 At our house, we have several “Welcome Home” signs. One reads, “Enter as Guests and Leave as Family.” Another says, “Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much.” If…
In just two short verses, Jesus offers a powerful image of the Kin-dom of God: “Again he asked, ‘What shall I compare the kin-dom of God to? It is like…
Luke 18:9–14 Jesus told this parable to those who were confident in their own righteousness and looked down on others. Two men went to the temple to pray—one a Pharisee,…
The three “Lost Stories” in the Gospel of Luke are among the most beloved parables of Jesus. On July 27, Pastor Dave offered a wonderful sermon on the “Lost Sheep.”…
When we speak about the word forgive, we may not immediately recognize that it is a transitive verb—a verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning. Too often,…
Our opening prayer at the 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. services begins, “We are easily drawn away from serving you by the enticements of wealth, ease, and comfort,” and ends, “Help us place our…
In Mark 7, we see two remarkable encounters that highlight the power of faith and the compassion of Jesus. First, a Syrophoencian woman, a Gentile outsider, begs Jesus to heal…