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In the previous Crisis Counsels, we heard how the people of Judah, when faced with a terrifying invasion, were told by the musician/prophet Jahaziel that they should go out into battle position against the invaders; but they would not need to fight, because the Lord would bring... Read More →

In Crisis Counsels we have been tracking a memorable story from II Chronicles 20 about a time of great crisis in the land of Judah in the mid-ninth century B.C. Faced with an invasion of three foreign armies allied together, King Jehoshaphat and all the people of Judah first... Read More →

In yesterday’s Crisis Counsels we heard the message spoken by the musician/prophet Jahaziel to the people of Judah when they were in a great crisis. Faced with a massive invasion, the people were confused and terrified. But Jahaziel said, “Listen all Judah and inhabitants of... Read More →

Yesterday in Crisis Counsels we heard about Jahaziel, a musician who suddenly became a prophet when “the spirit of the Lord came upon him.” (II Chronicles 20:14) It happened at a moment of great crisis, when the people of Judah were facing an enormous invasion of enemy forces.... Read More →

Our Crisis Counsels have been drawing inspiration from a Biblical story in II Chronicles 20, which describes a time of crisis in mid-ninth century B.C. Judah, during which the king and all the people turned to God in prayer, not knowing what would unfold, but trusting in God for... Read More →

In Crisis Counsels this week, we continue to draw inspiration from the Biblical story that is found in II Chronicles 20, which describes a time in the mid-ninth century B.C. when the land of Judah was subjected to a massive invasion that threatened the lives of all the... Read More →

The past two days in Crisis Counsels we considered the story of King Jehoshaphat, one of the most faithful of the kings of Judah, who confronted an enormous crisis when his country was subjected to a powerful invasion of foreign forces. II Chronicles chapter 20 describes how... Read More →

Yesterday in Crisis Counsels we considered the story of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah in the ninth century B.C., who faced an enormous crisis when his country was invaded by an outside power. His first and central response was to look to God in faith, trusting that in all times God... Read More →

The Bible recounts many times of crisis in the story of the people of Israel. One of those is described in II Chronicles 20. During the reign of Jehoshaphat, the people of Judah were subjected to an enormous invasion. The Scripture reports, “Messengers came and told Jehoshapha... Read More →

People often struggle with financial debt; how wonderful if it were all suddenly paid off! We struggle even more with our “spiritual debt”; but through Christ we are set free. Read More →

Over the weekend in our church we took steps to throttle back most of our small group activities. This involved a careful process of working with the leaders of each group or ministry. Here are the updates: Sunday School, Children’s Choir, ZAMARingers, and youth group are... Read More →

Jesus joins fully in our human weakness and our brokenness. No matter what you are experiencing, you are not alone. Christ is with you. Read More →

In the midst of suffering, Jesus acts in compassion. We can find an answer to our own pain when we join with Jesus and turn outward in love toward others. Read More →

The first amazing word of Jesus from the cross is to answer terrible human wrong with forgiveness. He invites us to receive and display that kind of mercy in our own lives. Read More →

How are we finally “set right” with God? We can never quite put ourselves right through our own efforts, but the answer comes to us in Jesus Christ. Read More →

The Biblical prophets declared that God is concerned about the entire society—whether a society is in line with God’s will for humanity. Too often human societies have gotten badly “out of plumb.” God calls us to join with the movement of His Spirit to set things aright. Read More →

We often like to think that we are pretty good people, at least better than some of the neighbors! But spiritual healing comes when we acknowledge our need for forgiveness and renewal, and open ourselves to the healing power of Christ. Read More →

The story of Epiphany has an important message for us today. Read More →

Just as God “dwelled among” the Israelites by means of the tabernacle, so now in a far greater way God dwells among us in Christ (John 1:14). Jesus is the new temple – the point where we experience and connect with God. This does not eliminate the need for church! (contrary to... Read More →

The first place Jesus goes (taken by his parents) after his birth is to church! They go to the temple to fulfill the sacrificial requirements of the Old Testament law. There they are met by Simeon and Anna, who have been in the temple awaiting what God would do. It is in the... Read More →

God dominates our lives like a majestic mountain. As we are drawn to the mountain, we are even more drawn to God. It is this God who sends us Jesus Christ, the ultimate source for peace within, as well as amongst us. Read More →

Thanksgiving! Psalm 100 says to “enter God’s gates with thanksgiving,” and numerous Psalms are an expression of thanks to God. Psalm 65 is a thanksgiving psalm, depicting the joy of coming into God’s temple with an appreciation for God’s blessings. Colossians likewise urges us to... Read More →

Psalm 100 says to come into God’s presence with singing. Biblical worship has always included song. Music in worship is not for entertainment, but is a profound form of expressing our praise and glorifying God. Significantly, the book of Revelation repeatedly depicts scenes of... Read More →

Water in the Bible is a symbol for cleansing and purification. It was used in this way in the Old Testament tabernacle/temple, and again was instituted by Jesus as a profound symbol of salvation in the sacrament of Baptism. It is also a symbol of life. Water in worship reminds us... Read More →

The book of Hebrews says that Biblical people of faith saw themselves as temporary sojourners on earth, and were looking forward to “a better country, that is, a heavenly one.” As we join in worship, we always look with expectant hope toward what God will do, and we trust in our... Read More →

In the building of the tabernacle, as described in Exodus, the people offered their very best—their best talent, and their best materials. So much that Moses had to tell them to stop bringing offerings! In worship we are inspired to bring God our best. This does not mean that we... Read More →

The vision of Ezekiel (as well as the passage from Job) shows that God is beyond our comprehension and beyond words. Worship helps us to embrace the mystery of God, to be receptive to a deep level of Reality that is beyond our understanding. We often want to have everything... Read More →

People throughout the ages have sensed that they should bring offerings to God. We are moved through worship to honestly give, and to do so generously, with sincere hearts. Read More →

God leads people not into private religion but into a community of faith. This was true in the Old Testament; and in the book of Acts, the first thing that happens after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is that people join in a community of faith together – the church. Worship... Read More →

Christian faith means becoming a part of a salvation story; therefore our worship involves telling the story, and moves in the cycle of church seasons through the central story of Jesus. We are invited to find our place in the story. The video “It’s Our Time” was created by... Read More →

The function of sacrifice in Biblical worship as a means of atonement. Ultimately, Christ is the final atonement for our sins and the way by which we can receive complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Read More →

Through Christ, the final high priest, we are all made into “priests” in that we all have direct access to God, and we are all called to be leaders in particular ways, to be instruments of God’s grace in the world. Read More →

Fire symbolizes multiple aspects of God. It is mysterious.  It is dangerous – one approaches with respect and caution! At the same time, it provides warmth and light, guiding one’s way through the dark. It is powerful. Thus Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)... Read More →

Food has played a role in all religions, sometimes as a form of offering, and sometimes as a means of fellowship. The Scriptures call for an authentic “holy meal” in communion with Christ, and we are also drawn to include the Lord at our table throughout the week. Read More →

Human beings have always been drawn to create sanctuaries, which are strikingly different from the space around them, and people have often devoted their greatest effort to those spaces (e.g. Stonehenge, cathedrals, the tabernacle/temple). Sanctuaries remind us that we need ... Read More →

The Scripture calls us to “come into God’s presence” (Psalm 100:2).  But is not God always present?  Yes, but people are often preoccupied with other things. So the Scriptures urge us to “come awake” (Matthew, Romans, Ephesians) to God. Worship is a movement of awakening and... Read More →

We close the prayer ascribing glory to God. This is based on the ancient Jewish practice of closing prayer with a doxology. The life of faith ultimately lifts glory to God. Read More →

We can and must look to God for deliverance from evil. Read More →

Temptation is a spiritual trial in which we are lured away from God. But God is with us in the midst of trial, to enable us to endure. To pray, “Lead us not into temptation,” is to look to God for strength hold firm in faith. Read More →

In this installment of the sermon series, Dr. Palmer discusses experiencing God’s forgiveness, and likewise forgiving others. Read More →

In this sermon, Dr. Palmer discusses trusting in God for what we need and looking to God as the source of what we most deeply need. Read More →

In this sermon, Dr. Palmer discusses seeking to bring one’s personal life, and one’s society, into harmony with the will of God. Read More →

The opening petition of the Lord’s Prayer directs us to focus upon God, recognizing God’s love, power, and goodness, and giving honor and glory to God. Read More →

The picture of God is as our heavenly Parent, who cares for us and who is perfectly good.  The beginning of prayer is to focus not on our needs but on God. Read More →

Jesus, in teaching about prayer, draws his hearers from thinking about how they look to directing themselves truly to God. Genuine prayer involves doing what Mary did – sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to what he was saying. This also means avoiding what Martha was doing –... Read More →

Prayer as the practice of ongoing communion with God; prayer is not an emergency appeal to God but a receptive connection with God. Such prayer involves intentional focus; we need to “do things that draw us closer to God” (one of the Methodist General Rules). Read More →

We are all confronted by challenges that are bigger than us. What can we expect from God in those situations? Read More →

People are typically impressed by those who take decisive action on important matters. So why do people so often imagine that faith in God is something passive? Real faith expresses itself in action! Methodist founder John Wesley identified central action areas for faith in three... Read More →

Faith in Christ involves not just feeling or sentiment but action – doing things that draw us closer to God, and engaging in ministries of outreach to others. We commit ourselves not simply to believe in God but to actively follow Christ. Read More →

How do you find hope in the face of unexplained suffering? Through the ages, people of faith have found the answer, not in getting an “explanation,” but in experiencing the presence of God. Sometimes we confront suffering which appears to contradict God’s goodness. Certainly this... Read More →