What you believe affects how you act. This may sound obvious, but it’s worth saying as we look at our epistle reading today. 1 John 5:4-11 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes
Arise, my love, and come with me! You may recognize this verse from Song of Solomon. It fits perfectly this week for a number of reasons. On a personal note, Christiane and I are are going
I have often viewed this verse saying “your life is hidden with Christ” as a sort of protection. You are safe. Your life is hidden as in a safe deposit box. This is true. Our salvation
[Our apologies. The camera pans to pulpit about 1 minute into the sermon] Pilate washed his hands of Christ's blood. The people in utter defiance say: "His blood be on us and on our children!” The
The One who comes in the Name of the Lord This Sunday, Palm Sunday, Christians across the world will declare "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!!” Ps.118 is the Scripture
Today we continue to talk about how Jesus has changed the way we relate to God. His life, death, resurrection and ascension not only saves us, but gives us special privileges as his children. Hebrews does
A Season of Formation Growing up in Brazil, but having spent half of my life here, I still remember what it felt like experiencing my first Spring in New York. Probably, because my reaction to the
“Pull yourself up by your bootstraps”. Its a bit of an outdated turn of phrase. Have you ever thought about it? We sort of use it today as a positive characteristic. It means self-sufficient, self-made, despite
Pause and Reassess Being half way through something is a good place to pause and take assessment. A good coach gives a locker room pep talk to a team that’s behind, and the game might
It seems today Jesus is giving a lesson in demon possession, but I would argue that’s not all he is doing. Perhaps not even primarily what he is trying to teach in our Gospel today.
We have an enemy In the midst of all the divisions in the world today, it’s easy to think that our enemy is someone in another nation, another political party, or another religion. Scripture says, “For
Today we are talking about the Faith of a Canaanite Woman. At first glance it seems like Jesus is issuing a pretty scathing insult calling this Gentile woman a Dog, but then something entirely different and