Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 • For everything there is a season. Matthew 25:31-46 • The judgement of the nations. Caring for a child, an elderly parent, or a pet is a commitment of love. According to The Virtues Project “Commitment is caring deeply about a person, a goal or a belief…we make
Continue reading
Luke 1:46b-55 • Mary’s song. Mary’s relative Elizabeth has just experienced her own 6 month in utero child leaping within her and has made the prophetic pronouncement that it was because of the saving, holy importance of the one soon to be borne by Mary. Elizabeth further states that Mary
Continue reading
Isaiah 11:1-10 • The peaceful kin-dom. Matthew 11:2-11 • Messengers from John the Baptist. Entering a new realm or a new way of being takes courage. These passages remind us of the invitation to go out into the world and see things anew, or in other words, to see things
Continue reading
A couple of weeks ago, the gospel reading from Luke was about when the priest Zechariah pronounced a blessing on his newborn child. First, however, he recounted the story of God’s faithfulness to God’s people and how God was about to act in a way that fulfilled God’s promises of
Continue reading
Isaiah 2:1-5 • The future house of God. Matthew 24:36-44 • The necessity of watchfulness. The season of Advent marks the end of one era and the beginning of a new one. The challenge we face is how we prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus. Isaiah proclaims that God’s
Continue reading
Jeremiah 23:1-6 • Destructive leaders are recognized–and replaced Luke 1:68-79 • God’s Promise Fulfilled Through the prophet Jeremiah God reminds the people that false, dangerous leaders are responsible for their exile, but they will not prevail. In their place, the promise is that God will raise up new leadership from
Continue reading
Isaiah 65: 17-19 • New heavens and a new earth Luke 21: 5-10 • The end times and beyond We as humans are extremely sensitive to signs of danger. Fear can be a powerful way of rallying people for good–or for ill. If a person or group can convince others
Continue reading
Haggai 1:15b-2:9 • God will shake things up; take courage. 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-5, 13-17 • Let no one deceive you; stand fast in the traditions. The prophet Haggai has a challenging message for both the people of the past and for us today. Haggai is speaking to the people
Continue reading
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 • Keep going! Luke 19: 1-10 • Seek out and save the lost No one comes into the world as a fully formed follower of Jesus. Christian faith is something you are raised within, in family, in church community or both. Within these circles are individuals
Continue reading
Joel 2:23-32 • Abundant rain, full threshing floors. Psalm 65 • God crowns the year with goodness. God’s spirit has been poured out on us, we are marked with God’s love. Joel’s prophecy names that as the spirit is poured upon the people, the children will also prophesy, our seniors
Continue reading