2 Kings 5:1-14 The Healing of Naaman Photo by Rev. Karen Bridges. We often make life harder than it needs to be. We yearn for drama and excitement. But sometimes restoration and healing comes in the quiet acts of kindness and simplicity. Life is hard enough without our complicating it
Continue reading1 Kings 3: 5-12 Solomon Solomon is a newly crowned king, glorious and triumphant! However, we find him in the night, vulnerable and humble before God, asking for “a discerning heart” instead of riches or power. In facing and naming his deepest need, Solomon gains his true power in God’s
Continue readingPhoto by Jim Triscott. 2 Samuel 12: 1-9 David and Nathan It is time to offer our true selves to God, to be honest about who we are and what we have done or left undone. We lament, we ask for compassion, we ask for healing and we offer ourselves
Continue readingPhoto by Jim Triscott. Joshua 24: 1-15 . Joshua Renews the Covenant After the Israelite people enter into the Land of Promise, Joshua who has been leading and protecting them calls on them to make an important decision concerning where their allegiance lies and who they are now that they
Continue readingPhoto by Jim Triscott.Exodus 19:3-7; 20: 1-17 . Covenant and Commandments Through Moses we hear directly from God. According to Walter Brueggemann, the commandments could be seen as “a proclamation in God’s own mouth of who God is and how God shall be ‘practiced’ by this community of liberated slaves.”
Continue readingPhoto by Albert deVos in New York City, 44 St and 4th Ave.The words are the theme for Stewardship this program year. Exodus 14:10-14, 21-29 . Rescue at the Sea The Israelites cried out to God, “What have you done to us?” Someone once asked me if I truly believed
Continue readingGenesis 39: 1-23 . Joseph in Prison With God by our side, we can find the strength to keep our promises and to live with integrity and honour. It is clear in the scripture that God is with Joseph and because of this Joseph is given opportunities and responsibility. Joseph
Continue readingGenesis 12:1-9 . The blessing of Abram God tells Abram to go, to journey with God toward Negeb. God told Abram that this journey was about going to a place that God would give to Abram, and when he did this God would bless him, and in turn he would
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“Don’t you want to do better”? This was the phrase uttered by conductor, Dr. Jonathan Griffiths, while he was addressing the massed choir we participated in, preparing for our Carnegie Hall debut in New York City. At the time, it was applicable to getting a bunch of amateur choristers to
Continue readingJoel 2:12-14, 28-29 Return to me with all your heartPhilippians 4: 4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always The turning of the season is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and all that life offers. Our roles shift, our priorities shift. It is said in Ecclesiastes that for everything
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