Good Morning Friends,      I have served as an elder and a deacon in the Presbyterian church in a bicameral system of government much like the one our nation uses. And tradition has it that the power rests with the elders, like the Senate, but the growth of the church is based on the … Continue reading How Can We Witness To The Work Of God In Us? →

 Good Morning Friends,  Here we are a couple of weeks after our celebration of Resurrection Sunday, and I am wondering if you are experiencing any discouragement and frustration in response to the experience. Discouragement and frustration confronted the disciples, so it would not be out of the realm of possible emotions even though the overarching … Continue reading How Do We Best Process The Confusing Events Of Holy Week? →

   Good Morning Friends,  Gamaliel was a giant in the group of lawyers with whom he associated. He was talented and cultured and more highly educated than Peter. And yes, he taught Paul, but his part in the storyline in today's text from Acts is that of a minor character. In retrospect he was a … Continue reading Are You Following Jesus For The Best Of Reasons? →

   Good Morning Friends,  I guess, persecution has its place, but in most situations, we do so want to be recognized for the positive not the negative things, even to the point of competing for attention. And something about this misses the point of keeping the focus on Jesus. We can be our own worst enemy … Continue reading Are We Willing To Put The Attention On Jesus Instead Of Ourselves? →

 Good Morning Friends,     This morning I hear birds. But earlier it was silent which got me to thinking about the sounds in the Bible tied to emotions. There are the voices and sounds of trumpets in battle, the sound of a shaken leaf brining faintness into the hearts of enemies, the sound of alarms … Continue reading Will You Pass The Test Of Love In The Sounds Of The Spirit? →

 Good Morning Friends,     In past devotionals I have included today's passage from Acts with the story of the loaves and fishes and explored the problem of thinking we do not have enough. But I suppose I could have linked it to the passage about the rich young ruler and the possibility that Barnabas, in … Continue reading Have You Been Born From Above In Unity With God’s Generous Spirit, The Word Made Flesh? →

   Good Morning Friends,     Today on the journey from Easter to Pentecost we look at scripture that describes an event that happened before the crucifixion with a man named Nicodemus, a religious leader, and an event with the disciples that happened after the Holy Spirit event of Pentecost. Hopefully, they open our eyes to … Continue reading What Does Being Born Again Have To Do With Prayer And Pentecost And God’s Politics? →

 Good Morning Friends,  One thing Bible history helps us to see is that many people, if not all people struggle with issues in their lives that are resolved only on the journey of obedience. The list is long. Hopefully we experience on the way something that transforms our thinking that is beyond the issue of … Continue reading Are You In An Obedient Relationship Of Peace With The Paraclete? →

   Good Morning Friends,     I absolutely love watching college and professional basketball during the playoffs, and last year it just did not happen. This year was different in its drama at the college level, one unbeaten team and new rivalries of teams hoping to reestablish former dynasties all within the context of a pandemic. … Continue reading Are We Actively, Passionately And Expectantly Waiting For A Spirit Filled Work? →

    Good Morning Friends,     Discouragement and frustration can cause us to walk away from the fellowship. Perhaps that has happened for some over the last year. But I hope that is not what is happening in the response to the pandemic, so much as its forced realization of our frail grasp on life…pastors and … Continue reading Jesus Appears to His Disciples, How Has He Appearing To You Now? →