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? →

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 dying … 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 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 sometimes. We … Continue reading Are We Willing To Put The Attention On Jesus? →

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 Son so … Continue reading Will You Be Moved By The Spirit To Pass The Test Of Love? →