Our Blog

Today’s selection from Job continues the response of Eliphaz to Job’s complaints regarding God. In this portion of Eliphaz’s response, he recognizes the majesty of God, even as he continues to struggle to hear Job’s complaint from Job’s perspective. The selection from 1 Peter emphasizes the degree of commitment required to live a life that […]

For three days, Psalm 77 will be one of the daily readings. This is a powerful Psalm noted for the depth of the author’s complaint.  It is a reminder that Scripture, especially many of the Psalms, invites us to pour out to God whatever anguish and suffering is in our heart. The selection from Job, […]

When we read today’s new passages, we will think of water and baptism. Water can be gentle and soothing, and it can be powerful and cleansing. It can flow through our fingers, and it can envelop us completely. As we read today, it is good to remember the power of baptism, and the birth into […]

Today’s second and third readings portray the possibility, importance, and joy of repentance and healing. From the renewed spirit of Psalm 32 to Jesus’ healing of a paralyzed man to Jesus’ calling of someone outside the bounds of “respectable” society as his disciple, these readings point to the hope of life in Christ. And we […]

If you recognize the Psalm from yesterday, it doesn’t mean that you have the day wrong. One of the Lectionary passages is repeated over three days to allow for the often powerful effects of soaking in the same passage of scripture. Our need to repent quite often brings powerful emotional responses, so today’s selection from […]

Today’s readings call us to examine our hearts and lives and reflect on our need for God’s mercy and goodness. Though these texts are thousands of years old, the human situation they describe can all too easily be found in today’s headlines. The deep need for individuals and communities to humbly seek God’s ways is […]

“So, what are you doing for Lent?” probably still sounds strange coming from a Baptist. Lent was traditionally not observed by Baptists, but Baptist participation in Lenten practices has increased significantly in recent years. This is a good thing. Lent is a season of self-examination, reflection, repentance, fasting, and preparation for the coming of Easter. […]

“Thou has set my feet in a broad place.” Psalm 31:8 The Psalmist celebrates the open space, the wide place that God had led him to live. He can run and jump, explore and play, work and live freely. He can move about in the broad place and not become stagnant or hemmed in by […]

Uncle Bill finally made it back to church after 70 years. He stood at the doors of that same church as a young man and had been denied entrance. Yesterday, they let him in. He grew up as the son of a Brethren minister. As a teenager, he determined that he would follow in his […]

First Sunday in Lent, March 5, 2017 Monday (March 6, 2017): Psalm 32; 1 Kings 19:1-8; Hebrews 2:10-18 Tuesday (March 7, 2017): Psalm 32; Genesis 4:1-16; Hebrews 4:14-5:10 Wednesday (March 8, 2017): Psalm 32; Exodus 34:1-9, 27-28; Matthew 18:10-14 Thursday (March 9, 2017): Psalm 121; Isaiah 51:1-3; 2 Timothy 1:3-7 Friday (March 10, 2017): Psalm […]

C.S. Lewis is revered by many Christians for his wonderful stories and contributions to the world of Christian writing.  I must confess that I have yet to read the “Chronicles of Narnia.”  I read “Mere Christianity” back in college; though I wasn’t a very attentive reader back then.  “The Great Divorce” allowed me to wade […]

I finished my first book of 2013 about 3 weeks ago.  The Monster in the Hollows is book three of the Wingfeather Saga written by Andrew Peterson.  I must first confess that Andrew Peterson is my favorite musician, therefore I could be accused of bias.  Nonetheless, this book is a heart warming adventure from cover […]

Let’s start with the beginning. Our faith story declares –In the beginning God… We are told that God is the alpha and omega, the beginning and end.The essence of our faith centers on our understanding of God. While there are other components that shape and inform our faith like the Bible and tradition, it is […]

E. Stanley Jones was a Methodist missionary in India. He became a light of love and grace that earned the respect of many people. He had influence with many leaders in India, including Gandhi. The witness of Christ that Jones lived out still provides an example for all of us. In his autobiography, A Song […]

The following article is one I found on Tumblr—-I thought it was worth sharing. I attended a lecture this week that was by no means groundbreaking in originality, but immensely refreshing to hear.  In the midst of a discussion about parables, my Bible professor noted, “A faith that is centered upon getting into heaven is […]