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Today is the conclusion, at least for now, of this Crisis Counsels series. You will find all 85 Crisis Counsels reflections on our web site. For daily devotions going forward, we are recommending that everyone begin to use The Upper Room, a United Methodist devotional that has... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels our focus is on the following passage in the gospel of Mark: In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we are reflecting about this passage in the gospel of Mark: In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we are doing a four day series, from Tuesday through Friday, based on these verses in the gospel of Mark: In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions... Read More →

This week we have been reflecting about the following verses from Amos: This is what the Lord God Almighty says: Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing... Read More →

This week we are reflecting about the following verses from Amos: This is what the Lord God Almighty says: Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing... Read More →

This week we are considering the following verses from Amos in light of current events: This is what the Lord God Almighty says: Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like... Read More →

Yesterday we looked at the following verses from Amos in the context of current discussions about whether churches should be singing in the present circumstances in worship: This is what the Lord God Almighty says: Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to... Read More →

This week’s news calls for a fresh look at this well-known passage in Amos: This is what the Lord God Almighty says: Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an... Read More →

Tomorrow is Independence Day, and so our focus this past week in Crisis Counsels has been on this passage in Psalm 33, which brings a relevant message for our nation – Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people God has chosen as his heritage. A king is not saved by... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we have been journeying through this passage in Psalm 33 – Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people God has chosen as his heritage. A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse... Read More →

During this Fourth of July week, we are focusing in Crisis Counsels on this passage from Psalm 33 – Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people God has chosen as his heritage. A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels, as we approach the Fourth of July, we are focusing on this passage in Psalm 33 – Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people God has chosen as his heritage. A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great... Read More →

As this week leads into Independence Day weekend, our focus in Crisis Counsels will be on a very relevant passage in Psalm 33 – Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people God has chosen as his heritage. A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not... Read More →

This week’s Crisis Counsels have focused on these verses in the book of the prophet Isaiah – The Lord is exalted; he lives on high, filling Zion with justice and righteousness. God will provide security during a lifetime: a source of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. Reverence... Read More →

Our reflections this week in Crisis Counsels are based on these two verses in the book of Isaiah – The Lord is exalted; he lives on high, filling Zion with justice and righteousness. God will provide security during a lifetime: a source of salvation, wisdom, an... Read More →

We are journeying this week in Crisis Counsels through two verses in the book of Isaiah – The Lord is exalted; he lives on high, filling Zion with justice and righteousness. God will provide security during a lifetime: a source of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. Reverence for... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we are looking at two verses in the center of the book of Isaiah — The Lord is exalted; he lives on high, filling Zion with justice and righteousness. God will provide security during a lifetime: a source of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we turn our attention to one of the great prophets of the Bible, the prophet Isaiah, and two verses in the center of the book of Isaiah – The Lord is exalted; he lives on high, filling Zion with justice and righteousness. God will provide security... Read More →

Today we conclude our reflections about God’s Word to King Solomon upon the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, reported in II Chronicles: Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer . . . When the heavens are shut up so that there... Read More →

In Crisis Counsels this week we are focusing on God’s Word to King Solomon, telling him what to do when his people would encounter difficult times. II Chronicles chapter 7 says: Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer . . . When... Read More →

Our focus this week in Crisis Counsels is the Word that God speaks to King Solomon following the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, where God tells Solomon that the people will find an answer for times of trouble if they turn to God. II Chronicles chapter 7 says: Then the... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we are looking at God’s Word to King Solomon following the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, where God assures Solomon that if the people turn to God in times of trouble, God “will forgive their sin and heal their land.” This is what we read in... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we turn our attention to a pivotal moment in the history of ancient Israel, when King Solomon dedicated the temple in Jerusalem for the worship of God. During the dedication, Solomon led a worship service in which he offered a long prayer, asking that... Read More →

In this week’s Crisis Counsels we have looked at two Scripture passages which both emphasize the importance of moving beyond outward acts of piety to engage in a whole life of genuine faith – With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come... Read More →

We continue our focus this week on the following two passages: With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings…? He has told you, O mortal, what is good. What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice,... Read More →

In Crisis Counsels this week our focus is on the following two passages: With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings…? He has told you, O mortal, what is good. What does the Lord require of you, but to do... Read More →

In Monday’s Crisis Counsels we began looking at two passages containing words of the prophet Micah and the words of Jesus: With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings… ? He has told you, O mortal, what is... Read More →

Our focus this week in Crisis Counsels will be two passages that are closely connected in theme – words of the prophet Micah, and the words of Jesus: With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings… ? He has... Read More →

Today in Crisis Counsels we conclude our reflections about Psalm 60, one of the “psalms of lament” in the Bible. The psalm begins by lamenting the great trouble that has fallen upon the people, then looks to God in faith. The psalm closes with these verses: O grant us help... Read More →

Psalm 60 – our focus in this week’s Crisis Counsels – opens with a description of a time of great trouble, along with lament over the hardship of the people. The beginning verses speak of a society that is falling apart – “tottering” and “reeling” – with images that resonate with... Read More →

In Crisis Counsels this week we are focusing on a psalm of lament – Psalm 60. The two verses we have considered so far describe a society that is “tottering.” As the Psalm says: You have caused the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair the cracks in it, for it is... Read More →

In Crisis Counsels this week we are journeying through a psalm of lament – Psalm 60 – which is very appropriate for the times we are experiencing right now. Yesterday we considered the second verse –– You have caused the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair the cracks in... Read More →

In Crisis Counsels this week we begin a journey through Psalm 60, which is a so-called “psalm of lament.” A psalm of lament does not sound like something to read to cheer you up! Yet these psalms can be powerful when we find ourselves in times of trouble, because in them the... Read More →

We complete our reflection today about this verse in the book of the prophet Isaiah: Fear not, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 The verse concludes with... Read More →

Our focus this week in Crisis Counsels is this verse in the book of the prophet Isaiah: Fear not, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 After the initial... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we are looking at the following verse in the book of the prophet Isaiah: Fear not, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 After the... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we will be looking at a single verse in the book of the prophet Isaiah: Fear not, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 This is a... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we have been looking at verses in the book of Proverbs, one of the “wisdom books” in the Bible. Our final verses this week are: Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for wisdom is more profitable than silver and yields... Read More →

In Crisis Counsels this week we are considering a section of verses in the center of Proverbs chapter 3. Verses 5 through 8 read: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge God, and he will make straight your paths.... Read More →

We continue our reflection this week about a passage in the book of Proverbs. In the previous days we have looked at these two verses: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge God, and he will make straight your... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we are drawing insights from one of the “wisdom books” of the Bible, the book of Proverbs. Yesterday we looked at chapter 3, verse 5, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.” The next verse says: In all... Read More →

The book of Proverbs contains many wise counsels for living. This week in Crisis Counsels we will focus on some of the insights shared in Proverbs chapter 3. Verse 5 says: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. There is a higher wisdom that... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we have focused on a passage in the book of Lamentations in which Jeremiah looks in faith to God out of a situation of enormous trouble. The final verse in our passage is Lamentations 3:26: It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we are looking at the main “bright spot” in the book of Lamentations, where, out of the midst of a time of great anguish, Jeremiah looks to God and finds reason for hope. We have looked so far at chapter 3, verses 19 through 24. The next verse says:... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels our focus is on Jeremiah’s book of Lamentations, which is essentially one long lament over one of the worst disasters in the history of Israel — the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, which resulted in the destruction of the city and the... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we are looking at a passage in the book of Lamentations, which was written by the prophet Jeremiah in the midst of one of the most trying times in the history of history – the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of many people into... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we will look at Lamentations, written by the prophet Jeremiah following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian Empire. Lamentations is so named because most of the short book is a “lament” – an expression of sorrow over the devastation that... Read More →

Today we come to the conclusion of Psalm 3, a psalm written by King David after he had fled from Jerusalem during Absalom’s rebellion.  In the psalm, David trusts in God for protection and help.  He concludes by saying, Deliverance belongs to the Lord; may your blessing... Read More →

In this week’s Crisis Counsels our focus is Psalm 3, a psalm written by King David during the rebellion of his son Absalom. Absalom had advanced on Jerusalem with a large armed force, and David, who escaped from the city, was forced to try to quickly assemble his followers. In... Read More →