Good Morning Friends, If you are going to be a witness to a life in Jesus, you must not only know the basics of our faith but have experienced them in your life. And today’s lectionary selection gives a great start in understanding the key elements of what we might consider sharing. But people can … Continue reading Will Our Personal Stories Ever Encourage Others To Believe Jesus Justifies Us? →

Good Morning Friends,     Over the last week I have been following the lectionary and the story of the power of the Holy Spirit that would give birth to the Church and the missionary journeys of faithful followers of Jesus. Today we also include a Gospel reading that reminds us of what happened in the … Continue reading Are You Trusting In The Lord To Change The World Through You? →

Good Morning Friends,    Today we continue the journey to Pentecost and beyond and explore the spread of the Christian faith from the stories of Cornelius and Peter and Barnabas and Paul. But we also contemplate the nature of worship then and now. For Christ’s promises and assurance can still be accepted or rejected. We … Continue reading Is Anything Better For Us Than Jesus’ Gift Of The Holy Spirit? →

Good Morning Friends, Often churches have a mindset on purpose that can be similar to how some relate to healthcare. They do not do any serious self-examinations for fear of a diagnosis and yet still get to thinking they will live forever. That is how some do it. The thought is that a diagnosis of … Continue reading Are You In Search Of Shalom At The Gate To A Pasture Where The Church’s Purpose Is Being Fulfilled? →

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 every … Continue reading How Do We Feel About Eating The Fruit Of Another’s Labor? →

Good Morning Friends, Today’s scripture reference of Saul marks the soon to be Apostle Paul’s entry into the storyline. He is identified by his Hebrew name of Saul and not his given Roman name of Paul. But it is the same creature destined to become a different person. So, this is the before shot, in … Continue reading Will We Recognize And Apply The Characteristics Of Christ In Our Daily Living?  →

Good Morning Friends, Stephen, as a deacon, was responsible for feeding the widows, and so he undoubtedly got a chance to think about spiritual food as well as the physical nutrition for those starving to death for love. I say this because Stephen, in life served meals and in death with his body broken gives … Continue reading Are We Making Choices Consistent With The Work Of The Holy Spirit? →

   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 Best Be A Witness To The Work Of God In Us? →

Good Morning Friends, The last several Sundays we have been exploring the components of the Apostles Creed in a series our pastor has entitled, "Keeping The Faith." Today in advance of hearing the sermon, I offer my take on the bit of Jesus sitting on the right hand of God the Father to judge the quick and the … Continue reading What Are The Essential Characteristics Of The Church God Will Use In Our Lives To Help Us Finish Well? →