Scripture: Luke 14:23-24 Then the master said to the slave, “Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.” Thought for the Day: I’m going to say something that isn’t very smart when it comes to pastoral job security, but here it goes:
Scripture: Luke 4:21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Thought for the Day: A man picks up the morning paper and he begins to read it. Suddenly he realizes it is dated two months in the future. All the stories he is reading are in the future. He flips to the stock pages and is thrilled to discover
Scripture: 1st Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… Thought for the Day: In an essay titled “Revitalizing Rural Communities: How Churches Can Help”, Dr. Fred Kirschenmann (professor of religion and philosophy at Iowa State University) writes: Vaclav Havel,
Scripture: Romans 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. Thought for the Day: CS Lewis wrote: In Christianity God is not a static thing — not even a person — but a dynamic, pulsating activity, a life, almost a drama. Almost, if you will not think me irreverent, a
Scripture: Psalm 138:7-8 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Thought for the Day: God has a purpose, and you and I and every
Scripture: Daniel 9:20-22 While I was speaking, and was praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God on behalf of the holy mountain of my God—while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen before in a vision, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.
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 often use those words in the context of a funeral, and though I can’t say if they have ever provided comfort to those in attendance, they
Scripture: Exodus 16:2-3 The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Thought for
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Thought for the Day: Though I may have some theological disagreements with my Mormon sisters and brothers, there is still something to respect about their understanding of community and their commitment to family. Marjorie Pay Hinckley, one of their leaders, said: “We are all
Scripture: 1st John 4:18-21 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love be- cause he first loved us. Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen,