Are We Listening To God For A Sense Of Place And Productive Purpose?

Good Morning Friends, Undoubtedly you are aware of the past, present, and potential future of the places where you grew up. Maybe like Jesus you have lived in multiple places. Jesus lived in both Capernaum and Nazareth but really had no place to call home except for the love he found at Bethany. Perhaps you … Continue reading Are We Listening To God For A Sense Of Place And Productive Purpose?

Are We So Busy Trying To Look Good That We Forget To Be Good?

Good Morning Friends, In today’s lectionary passage from Matthew Jesus rips into religious hypocrites that had created their own brand of legalism to perpetuate their own power. The Pharisees were not demonic, evil people but had fallen into a way of worship that was self-serving. They had fallen prey to pride in a way and … Continue reading Are We So Busy Trying To Look Good That We Forget To Be Good?

Do We Have The Welcoming Countenance Of A Love That Lasts?

Good Morning Friends, Ralph Waldo Emerson observed that the entire world loves a lover and maybe he was right because the Bible is the best-selling book of all time. And it is filled with great love stories that instruct us. These stories are culturally relevant, memorable, provocative, applicable, beneficial, and hopeful for the readers. People … Continue reading Do We Have The Welcoming Countenance Of A Love That Lasts?

What Can We Say To Those Who Challenge Christ If We Do Not Follow The True Spirit Of God?

Good Morning Friends, Today we have the parable of the wedding and its implied vows and the promise of a new heart that God will give to those he has chosen. The stories are not easy reads. In fact, they should trouble us and therein is the lesson. Both stories are full of people whose … Continue reading What Can We Say To Those Who Challenge Christ If We Do Not Follow The True Spirit Of God?

Who Will Feed The Sheep And Will They Ever Be Satisfied?

Good Morning Friends, Today’s lectionary selection includes two parables that give us a little insight into the Kingdom of God compared to the kingdoms of people. I have added the first verse of Psalm 23 to complement the readings. We begin with one of the first parables in the Bible, the story of the trees. … Continue reading Who Will Feed The Sheep And Will They Ever Be Satisfied?