Scripture: Matthew 9:10-11 As Jesus sat down to eat in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners joined Jesus and his disciples at the table. But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Thought for the Day: In recent months, I have been deeply troubled by some voices in Christianity who have attempted to dismiss
Prayer of the Week: Our spirits can become dry and calcified; Our spirits can ossify under the pressure and pain; Our spirits can become lifeless, and when there is no life left, our spirits can die. O Giver of Life, and life infusing love, there is so much that seeks to crush us, so many things that burden us,
Scripture: Ruth 1:20 She replied to them, “Don’t call me Naomi, but call me Mara, for the Almighty has made me very bitter.” Thought for the Day: As you might guess, the name Mara means bitter. So often in scripture, the names of people were not only a way of understanding the different characters, but the names themselves told a story or at least a portion of the
Scripture: Romans 4:18 Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your descendants be.” Thought for the Day: Have you ever had a piece of scripture rolling around in your head, yet you couldn’t quite remember its context? A few days back, the words hope against all hope kept coming to mind. I finally
Scripture: Genesis 37:23-25 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm,
Scripture: Micah 7:8 Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. Thought for the Day: At almost every moment in history when a group has been oppressed or experienced great suffering, there have been writings that offered hope even when there appeared to be no hope. Such writings not
Scripture: Isaiah 41:10 …do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Thought for the Day: I don’t know how many times I have offered these words at a funeral, graveside or hospital bedside. I don’t know, but it has been many…hundreds of
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:11 We who are alive are always being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies that are dying. Thought for the Day: This Wednesday, we begin what we are calling: Second Chance Sundays (Come when you can Dinner: 6:15-6:45pm; Study: 6:45 – 7:30pm). For those who might have missed Sunday, it provides an opportunity
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:13-14 We have the same faithful spirit as what is written in scripture: I had faith, and so I spoke. We also have faith, and so we also speak. We do this because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus, and he will bring us into his presence along with you. Thought for the Day: God