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In times of loss, we can find much in the Bible with which to identify, as many central Biblical stories are stories of severe loss, including a sense of the loss of God. Such loss comes to its climax on the cross. But in the depths God is at work, to open up a glorious future,... Read More →

There are many popular concepts of what heaven will be like, but what is the Biblical truth about heaven? Audi commercial referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrgq2CIag6M&t=4s Read More →

The most positive incident involving a crowd in the Bible was on Palm Sunday, as a crowd in Jerusalem acclaimed Jesus as King. But that crowd was fickle. In short order, the crowd either vanished or turned against Jesus, so that a few days later there was a crowd shouti... Read More →

The crowd is always wrong, thronging to the leader who promises quick fixes, big earthly rewards, and glory. The crowd turned from Jesus because he proclaimed instead a challenging message. But we are called to hear that message, break from the crowd, and follow as Jesus’ disciples. Read More →

When we look up to Christ in faith we find healing that is eternal. Read More →

Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven. So said the prophet Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:40–41. In these brief words Jeremiah outlined the path to spiritual healing and wholeness: Recognize and... Read More →

Lamentations says “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven.”  (Lam. 3:40-41) These words were written when the people of Judah were in desperate circumstances, which had resulted from their own sin.... Read More →

To many people, St. Patrick’s Day has to do with partying, or maybe it has to do with being (or pretending to be) Irish. But the real life of St. Patrick had to do with making a deep commitment to Jesus Christ. Patrick, kidnapped as a youth and sold into slavery in Ireland, found... Read More →

St. Paddy’s Day is often a frivolous “holiday” or just an ode to all things Irish. But the real life of St. Patrick is an inspiring example of trusting in Christ and following His call to serve those who are far beyond our own circle. Read More →

Many United Methodists nationwide have reacted with dismay to the recent action of the General Conference, which, instead of “finding the way forward” concerning our church’s stance on human sexuality, took a bad stumble backwards. Some are talking schism, and many are concerned... Read More →

Are we using the test in the book of Acts as the basis for church membership? How did the earliest Christians approach the idea of inclusiveness? Read More →

At the recent General Conference of the United Methodist Church, a narrow majority of the delegates upheld church rules stating that “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The traditionalists who voted that way typically claimed that they were... Read More →

The New Testament confronts us with our inclination to judge others and moves us to see that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace. Read More →

The creation story says that we are all created in God’s image and that what God creates is good. It also indicates that “it is not good to be alone” and that we are created for one another. This can relate both to marriage and to the church community. Read More →

What sort of people should we welcome to church? In Old Testament days, the emphasis was on spiritual purity, and so the people of Israel were called to separation. Jews were to be separate from Gentiles. No Gentiles were allowed in the temple. Men were to be separate from women.... Read More →

This episode examines the call to Philip to evangelize and baptize an Ethiopian eunuch, a sexually altered foreigner. Read More →

A discussion of the apparent condemnation of homosexual practice in Leviticus, and how the central issue in the Leviticus laws is actually resisting the idolatry of the surrounding culture. Read More →

Today, January 29, Asia Bibi was fully acquitted after an appeal of her case. I referred to the case of Asia Bibi last fall, when the Supreme Court of Pakistan first acquitted her of charges stemming from a 2010 conviction. Asia, a young Christian woman, had been condemned to... Read More →

A key Biblical commandment is to welcome the stranger. As the book of Hebrews put it, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels unawares.”  (Hebrews 13:2) The reference is to Abraham, who welcomed three strangers who showed up... Read More →

The real sin of Sodom and Gomorrah according to the Scriptures – Ezekiel 16:49 “This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.” Read More →

Paul in his letter to the Galatians put forth a list of fifteen sinful behaviors—fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing.”  (Galatians 5:19-21) It is notable that... Read More →

This sermon introduces the United Methodist debate on homosexuality and the need to rightly understand the Scripture. It also focuses on the Biblical call for respectful dialogue and spiritual unity. Read More →

The wise men rightly perceive what – and who – is worthy of our utmost allegiance, not the tyrants of this world, but the One who embodies the grace of God. Read More →

From where does the true meaning of Christmas come? Whose responsibility is the preservation of that story? Read More →

God’s Kingdom is near when believers are “salt” and “light” for the world. Read More →

We must stay alert to God, ready for the Lord to be at work in and through our lives. Read More →

For what are you waiting in this Advent season? Perhaps you are waiting for a package to come, or relatives to arrive, or for the hubbub of the whole season to be over! The Bible encourages us to “wait for the Lord.” The good news of Christmas is that the Lord comes to us with... Read More →

How can we arrive at a better world? Some look for a change in governments or institutions. Some look for God to bring this age to a close and make a whole new start. But Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is within you.”  (Luke 17:21) The point at which the world changes is within... Read More →

What does it mean to be pursued by God’s love? Read More →

There is one word in the Old Testament used more than any other to describe the character of God. It is the Hebrew word, chesed, which means steadfast love – love that never quits, love that never gives up, even in the face of disappointment, love that is poured out, even when it... Read More →

God gives His grace in abundance. Read More →

Is your cup half full or half empty? The Bible says that when you have faith in God, your cup overflows. As it says in Psalm 23, “My cup runneth over.” This means that no matter how difficult the times God will abundantly provide. And because God graciously provides we can share... Read More →

God nourishes us with grace and help, even in the face of distress and trouble. Read More →

There is a hungering in the soul that can be answered only by God. Jesus pointed to the people of Israel in the wilderness. They ate manna that fell from heaven as a miraculous gift; but still they died.  (John 6:49) “I am the living bread that comes down from heaven,” said... Read More →

There is much in life that brings us discomfort. The Bible encourages us that we will find real comfort in God. David acclaimed the Lord as his Shepherd, and said, “Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”  (Psalm 23:4) The shepherd’s rod and staff were used . . . to guide the... Read More →

We find comfort in the presence, care, and guidance of God; but this is not just so we can be comfortable, but so that we can be instruments of comfort for others. Read More →

When we know God is with us, no matter what the threat, we need not fear. Read More →

There are times when we find ourselves in a dark valley. There is much in this world that can cause us to fear. But the Scripture says, Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.  (Psalm 23:4) The answer to fear is to trust... Read More →

We can trust God to lead us down the right paths. Read More →

How can you know what is the right path in life? The Scriptures call us to look to God, who will lead us in the right way. “Good and upright is the Lord . . . God leads the humble in what is right.”  (Psalm 25:8-9) The right path is not simply the way that appears profitable, or... Read More →

God brings us to true peace and satisfaction. Read More →

The Lord is my shepherd . . . (Psalm 23:1) He leads me beside the still waters (Psalm 23:2) Sometimes the waters of life become rough. Hurricane Florence has battered the east coast with raging floodwaters. Jesus’ disciples were once caught in a fearsome storm on the Sea of... Read More →

God provides for our deepest needs. Read More →

Many people spend their lives grasping, but still feel empty. When God is our shepherd, says Psalm 23, we will no longer be in want. We lack nothing (Psalm 23:1) because God is the answer to what we need. God enables us to “lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2), which means... Read More →

God is a shepherd—one who protects and guides his people. Read More →

The Lord is my shepherd. With the image of shepherd, Psalm 23 illustrates who God is for us. God is near. God watches over us. God cares for us. God will guide us. God will protect us. We are invited to join in saying, The Lord is my shepherd – to put our trust in God. Sunday’s... Read More →

People become aware of God in many ways, but often have misunderstandings of who God is. How do we come to see God clearly? God reveals the perfect picture of God’s reality in Jesus Christ. In Jesus, we see the great goodness and love of God, and God’s plan that we might live... Read More →

What we believe makes a critical difference, for our lives and for the world. Read More →

Belief matters. People who believe in God, says Psalm 1, are like a tree in an arid land planted by streams of water. They have a source of strength in tough times. They bear fruit – doing good for others. When we believe in a good and loving God, it shapes how we treat other... Read More →

“I believe” – credo – means a commitment of the heart, not just an idea in the mind. This results in a way of living. Read More →