Scripture: Galatians 6:5 Each person will have to carry their own load. Thought for the Day: Once again, our English translation doesn’t quite cut it. I think of load, and my mind thinks of a lot of things. I think about my load of laundry that is currently running. I think of the load of rock I carried into the back yard a few weeks ago as we
In Sunday’s sermon, I started a conversation around Conflict Resolution and some simple tools for those moments of conflict. As I suggested, it is important for us to not only listen, but do so in a way that the other feels as if s/he has been heard. This can be difficult, especially when we have been confronted or accused of doing something. It doesn’t matter if it is
Scripture: Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Thought for the Day: What Jesus described with the word peacemaker (eirénopoios) is someone who is the author or the cause of peace. But the word eiréné that we translate as peace is not simply the absence of violence, but the health, welfare and goodness of another. Someone who is a peacemaker is
Scripture: John 8:3-7 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they might have
Scripture: Luke 19:8-9 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham.” Thought for the Day: On Wednesday evenings throughout the
Scripture: Psalm 119:133 Keep my steps steady according to your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me. Thought for the Day: The following is a bit of dialogue from the movie Lincoln. I have had it on my computer for a month or so, and every morning I have read it. Thaddeus Stevens: You know that the inner compass that should direct the soul toward justice
Scripture: Proverbs 25:12 Wise correction to an ear that listens is like a gold earring or jewelry of fine gold. Thought for the Day: How do you hear a critique, even if it is a useful or constructive critique? I am reminded of Dale Carnegie who always reminded his readers that human beings tend not to work from a place of logic, but from a place of emotion.
Scripture: Acts 15:2 Paul and Barnabas took sides against these Judeans and argued strongly against their position. The church at Antioch appointed Paul, Barnabas, and several others from Antioch to go up to Jerusalem to set this question before the apostles and the elders. Thought for the Day: Early Christianity had a lot of struggles, disagreements and moments of friction. We probably only have a few of them
Scripture: Matthew 27:57-60 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn
HAPPY EASTER Scripture: Mark 16:5-6 Going into the tomb, the women saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right side; and they were startled. But he said to them, “Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised. He isn’t here. Look, here’s the place where they laid him. Thought for the Day: Good Morning Easter