Scripture: 1st John 4:11 Dear friends, if God loved us this way, we also ought to love each other. Thought for the Day: My in-laws live in NW Arkansas, but centuries before Arkansas became a state, there was a nation of native people called the Tula. We know of them only through the records of the Spanish conquistador named De Soto. De Soto and his army defeated
Scripture: Philippians 2:4 Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. Thought for the Day: Sydney J. Harris was a journalist from Chicago, and he wrote: “The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” I totally agree, though I would add that the turning of mirrors into windows should be the work of the church
Scripture: Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Thought for the Day: Rev. Dr. Mark Whitten served at the communion table on Sunday (9am), and he referenced these words from Romans. In rereading the verse later in the day, I was intrigued by the word purpose. Too often we believe everything is
Prayer for the Week: A year has come and gone, and so much has changed. O Giver of Life and Hope, our church community and our Houston community continue to feel the impact of Harvey. Normalcy appears to have returned to the lives of many, but others are watching mold grow, living in gutted homes and struggling to find the resources to replace what was lost. Many of
Scripture: Psalm 69:3 I am tired of crying. My throat is hoarse. My eyes are exhausted with waiting for my God. Thought for the Day: These words communicate the emotions of so many people over the last year. For some, the impact was immediate. For others, it was cumulative, with increasing intensity. And still others find that it comes in waves, unexpectedly and fiercely. The scriptures are so
Scripture: Matthew 5:19 Therefore, whoever ignores one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called the lowest in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps these commands and teaches people to keep them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Thought for the Day: Last night, I got together with about a dozen Cypress Creek folks to watch
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17 So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived! Thought for the Day: This is the Common English Translation, and I appreciate how it implies something a little different from other translations. Others speak of a new creation coming or being manifest, but here we find
Scripture: John 16:21 When a woman gives birth, she has pain because her time has come. But when the child is born, she no longer remembers her distress because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. Thought for the Day: You would be hard pressed to find someone who dislikes a newborn child. There is something amazing and breathtaking about a birth. As
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:4 They urgently begged us for the privilege of sharing in this service for the saints. Thought for the Day: As Paul writes to the church at Corinth, he celebrates the generosity of their spirits. Paul uses the extraordinary language of begging for the privilege of sharing. When was the last time you begged to give of yourself or your resources? When was the
Scripture: Psalm 69:1 Save me, God, because the waters have reached my neck! Thought for the Day: This coming Sunday, portions of Psalm 69 will be referenced. When the author declares, “Save me…,” the Hebrew word we translate as save is: Yasha`. This word is the basis for the name Joshua and the name Jesus. Joshua continued the saving work that started with Moses – a liberation of