Greatness often leads to or comes from might and power. Often military might define the great Empires of the World. As empires spread through the world, conquering peoples and nations, they did it through the strength of their armies and intimidated the nations that dared to stand up to them. This past week we celebratedContinue reading “The Unprecedented”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Free From Judgment
As we approach Independence Day in the United States, we hear the word “FREEDOM” in the songs we sing, written on clothing and bumper stickers, but as we look at freedom, God reminds us that we are called to proclaim that our true freedom doesn’t come from the Declaration of Independence or The Constitution ofContinue reading “Free From Judgment”
The Gospel Proclaimed
A plethora of voices surrounds us. Our companions and loved ones communicate with us while our employers provide instructions on performing our tasks. We receive their distinct viewpoints on the events unfolding in the world through various media outlets, such as news sources, social media, and podcasts. Additionally, figures in positions of authority articulate expectationsContinue reading “The Gospel Proclaimed”
Connected By Covenant
In our relationships, especially those with our parents or other adults that helped raise us, time changes how we see those relationships and how they manifest in our lives. We rely on our parents to provide for us when we are young. As we get older, our parents become our peers. If we are luckyContinue reading “Connected By Covenant”
Following Jesus
“Are you in, or are you out?” The famous question from reality television often gets asked of people in the church. From the church’s beginning, there have been questions and debates about which people belong in our worship services and fellowship. The debates have ravaged the church about the requirements for the Kingdom of God,Continue reading “Following Jesus”
United
Our world is defined by division. We have opponents at every turn, and we amplify our differences in ideology, culture, and politics by creating and growing echo chambers that do not engage in conversation but rather strike a wedge between us. The church is not immune to this divisiveness; it has never been immune toContinue reading “United”
Now What
Approaching Pentecost, a festival day that celebrates God by setting aside the first fruits and the beginning of the harvest, and commemorating the giving of the Torah, or Law, to the World, finds us in a particular circumstance where we as the church also celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. Throughout time, God hasContinue reading “Now What”
Troubles Come and Go, But God Remains
At the core of modern life, we find trouble. Trouble finds us during bad decisions, but trouble also waits for us when we do everything right. Often we can’t connect any rhyme or reason for our troubles, although we often strive to point at something as the cause of our issues. Doing such will takeContinue reading “Troubles Come and Go, But God Remains”
The Promise
A promise represents the sacred bond that we have in our various relationships. Broken promises are tantamount to broken relationships and deteriorate our connection. The Scriptures look at promises in various forms, such as oaths and covenants, made between leaders and their community and between leaders and other leaders. These serve to maintain order inContinue reading “The Promise”
Becoming Building Blocks
The church can be a mighty fortress, or it can be a crumbling ruin. Too often in the current climate, we think that the church’s physical structure must be paramount and luxurious for the world to come and see the beauty and purpose of God. However, God builds the church with the people of God.Continue reading “Becoming Building Blocks”