Scripture: Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God… Thought for the Day: This Wednesday, I begin a four-week study entitled: A Journey From Saul to Paul (11:30am & 6:30pm). For this Apostle to the Gentiles, it was a not only a geographic journey to the ends of the earth, but a theological and spiritual pilgrimage
Scripture: Mark 1:1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Thought for the Day: You’ll often hear people say Christianity is a religion about spiritual matters, and not about social or political issues. There is nothing further from the truth, for the opening words of Mark’s Gospel are a call to a radical revolution against the Roman Empire. The language of this
Scripture: 1st Corinthians 1:4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus… Thought for the Day: Grace is not only a gift that has some future blessing, but the impact it has upon those who realize its breathtaking character is life changing in the now. The Presbyterian theologian, Frederick Buechner, described it this
Scripture: 2nd Timothy 3:2-5 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! Thought for the Day: There are times to speak gently in
Scripture: Psalm 43:3 O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Thought for the Day: These little devotionals (yesterday’s wasn’t so little) create numerous opportunities to discuss faith and life with people I wouldn’t otherwise encounter. Yesterday afternoon, I was contacted by someone who had received my devotional about the shooting at
Scripture: Romans 3:15-17 Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery are in their paths, and the way of peace they have not known.” Thought for the Day: Years ago, I would occasionally attend a pentecostal church on Wednesday evenings. In part, it was to help me better understand a faith tradition different than my own. I would hear the pastor shout, “Someone, give me a
Scripture: Matthew 9:37 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few…” Thought for the Day: Us Christians toss around the word disciple as if we all have a common and clear definition. You may be surprised to hear me say that I do not believe we have a common or clear definition of this word, especially as it relates to being
Scripture: Luke 4:43 But Jesus said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” Thought for the Day: On this day in the year 590, the consecration of Pope Gregory occurred. He was a man who was considered to have done many great things for the faith, and for that reason,
Scripture: Proverbs 23:18 Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Thought for the Day: Donna and I finally rented the movie, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and it was marvelous. With a cast that included Tom Wilkinson and Judi Dench, I didn’t expect anything less. One of the other characters, Sonny (played by the actor, Dev Patel, from the movie Slumdog Millionaire)
Scripture: Psalm 128:2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you. Thought for the Day: In a time when the economy seems to be moving ahead, there are still many who feel as if they are being left behind. President Calvin Coolidge once said, “When a great many people are unable to find work,