Good Morning Friends,   In ancient Greek mythology, the pomegranate was known as the "fruit of the dead" and believed to have sprung from the blood of Adonis. The myth of Persephone, the goddess of the underworld, prominently features her consumption of pomegranate seeds, requiring her to spend a certain number of months in the underworld … Continue reading How Do We Feel About Eating The Fruit Of Another’s Labor? →

    Good Morning Friends,  Maybe it was an angel and maybe it was a willingness to trust, for the Ethiopian eunuch knew something about the importance of trust. And maybe it took someone caring enough to guide another in understanding the Word of God. But I am not sure how to advise you here, for … Continue reading Are You Ready To Be Loved Into A Fellowship With The Holy Spirit That Spreads The Faith? →

   Good Morning Friends,  New Normal is a term in business and economics that refers to financial conditions following the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the aftermath of the 2008–2012 global recession. So even the term is new relative to history, but the concept is Biblical and has application in the area of social justice as well. … Continue reading What Will You Believe And Then Do To Help Make The New Normal Be Better Than The Old? →

 Good Morning Friends,    As we approach Pentecost, we circle back to look that how rebirth fits into the storyline and of course it is the most fundamental doctrine that we hold, for without the resurrection there is no Christianity. It is the power of revitalization that gives us confidence. Yes, Jesus died for our … Continue reading How Do We Make The Resurrection Real In Our Lives? →

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 deacons. … Continue reading How Can We Witness To The Work Of God In Us? →

   Good Morning Friends,     One of God's favorite metaphors in the Bible is that of a shepherd. Another is the meal we eat as we consume scripture and share in the Eucharist and as a preparation for a blessing. Think of Manna and the loaves and fishes and the Passover but also the love … Continue reading Do We Love Enough To Feed Christ’s Sheep And Be Joyous About It? →

    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,     Close your eyes and think of a person you love and the things that you love about them the most. Now think about a person you dislike and the things that prompt you to dislike that person. Now remember that God's love is so profound that He gave His Only … Continue reading Will You Be Moved By The Spirit And Pass The Test Of Love? →

   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, … Continue reading Have You Been Born From Above In Unity With God’s Generous Spirit, The Word Made Flesh? →