Scripture: John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. Thought for the Day: John’s Gospel starts with the theological language often spoken by scholarly people in ivory towers…or at least that’s the way these words are often heard. But in fact, the Gospel was very relevant to a specific
Scripture: John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. Thought for the Day: Jesus often spoke about the fullness of life, but what exactly was meant by those words. I think Mary Oliver best captured what people might look like if only they chose to embrace the life Jesus brought in the here
Scripture: Matthew 1:22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet… Thought for the Day: There were many who were claiming that a spectacular end of human existence would happen yesterday, and this claim had its basis in the alleged prophetic claims of an ancient civilization. Of course, this reading of this purported prophetic claim was all wrong, and the
Scripture: Matthew 4:16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned. Thought for the Day: The Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, has traditionally been a time when Christians stayed up late and told stories by candlelight. Though the night was long, both the small flame and the
Scripture: Luke 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Thought for the Day: There is plenty of theological talk these days that I can only define as pretty frightening. This specific talk of God is coming in response to the tragedy in Newtown last Friday. Some ministers and other Christians (often in emails and Facebook posts) have manufactured ways of depicting God that are neither helpful
Scripture: Romans 1:9-10 For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers, asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. Thought for the Day: The gift of Christ inspired Paul and countless others throughout the centuries to serve fellow human beings, sacrificing
Scripture: Luke 1:46-48 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; Thought for the Day: Mary’s song reminds us of how God sees each person, not on some scale of worthiness, but as full of worth, value and
Scripture: Luke 1:51-53 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. Thought for the Day: “I like the Christmas Jesus best.” Those were the words of Will Ferrell’s (Ricky Bobby)
Scripture: John 11:32-35 When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord,
Scripture: Romans 4:18 (the Message) When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, “You’re going to have a big family, Abraham!” Thought for the Day: I had to do a little