Imagine – you’ve followed God from your homeland and everything that you recognize. And yet – none of that really matters because you have not had a child with your wife. And now, you’re 99. Then – the most amazing and perplexing announcement happens – I – El-Shaddai – will …
In the sure and certain hope of the resurrection, we invite your prayers of comfort and hope for the families of Jake Wood, cousin of Patrick Wood and Norma Ryver, mother of Ruth Najemian, who both entered the Church Triumphant this week. Creator God, we give thanks to you for the lives …
The Transfiguration is a story that in the lectionary we use to bookend the season after Epiphany. Christ was revealed to the world by the Magi, and by his baptism by John in the river Jordan and the breaking open of the heavens. Now, Jesus has been revealed to the …
Hard economic times, natural disasters, and divisive, party strife can make us feel helpless and hopeless, as if we have been abandoned by God. Even the church—local congregations as well as denominations—may feel fear and panic in the face of declining numbers and revenues, loss of loyalty from members, indifference …
By whose authority? That’s the question that the synagogue leaders asked of Jesus as he healed a man of evil spirits. For all they knew, Jesus was just this itinerant guy who had some knowledge of the scriptures – but that didn’t make him a healer. And it certainly did …
OK folks – this is going to be the big one for the season. Please stay safe. Don’t be heroes. Check on neighbors and family. Keep tuned to Sparta Township website (and all those other townships where we live). If power is lost, Sparta Emergency Team will start to open …
Last week our texts focused on the invitation to come and see who Jesus was and what he was doing. Philip invited Nathanael and their lives were changed forever. This week – we turn to the other thing that Jesus said – Follow Me. It’s not just about marveling at …
We live in a culture of invitation. Television invites us to join complicated story arcs so that we feel connected to the characters. Commercials invite us to see their product as a new movement and invite us to join it. We are invited to join groups on Facebook and invited …
This week things seem to have returned to normal. The kids are back in school, we’re working our normal hours, and the routine of our lives moves on as if the holidays never happened. But wait – life can’t be normal once you have experienced Christ in your life. The …
A Blessed Christmastide to all. It’s still Christmas – we’re coming up to the second Sunday of the Season – but it doesn’t feel that way in the ‘real world’. Who and what we proclaim butt against deadlines, commercial forecasts, and New Year resolutions. But it’s still Christmas – and …