Scripture: Acts 18:25-26 Apollos had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. Thought for the Day: Though
Scripture: 1st Peter 1:22 Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. Thought for the Day: Henri Nouwen remains one of my favorite authors. On the topic of love for one another, he says, “Your body needs to be held and to hold, to be touched and to touch.
Scripture: 1st Samuel 3:4-5 Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. Thought for the Day: Tonight at our Ash Wednesday Service (6:45pm), I will take a few minutes to reflect on these words
Scripture: Luke 7:40-50 Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “speak.” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled
Scripture: Luke 7:37 And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. Thought for the Day: The New Jerusalem translation of this passage says the woman had a “bad name in town.” This was a nice way of saying that she was probably a prostitute, and though many have tried to
Scripture: Zephaniah 3:19 I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. Thought for the Day: Shame is not always a bad thing. In fact, our culture needs a little dose of shame now and then as I think it can lead to
Scripture: John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. Thought for the Day: There are some pieces of scripture where the words need to wash over us, allowing our souls to be refreshed by the sustaining quality of their
Scripture: Romans 16:17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. Thought for the Day: After the recent tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, an interfaith prayer vigil was held. A diverse community came together for prayer, including a pastor from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. One of the victims of
Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:30-31 In your distress, when all these things have happened to you in time to come, you will return to the Lord your God and heed him. Because the Lord your God is a merciful God, he will neither abandon you nor destroy you; he will not forget the covenant with your ancestors that he swore to them. Thought for the Day: When we have ventured
Scripture: Luke 7:36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. Thought for the Day: We have often associated ‘Pharisees’ with evil or the standard of religious shallowness. At times, the Gospel writers give us that stereotype, but here we have an example of a Pharisee who desired to interact with Jesus.