“As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Ephesians 4:16 NLT, second edition) Dear Friends:  Sometimes there is just too much noise; too much sadness; too much confusion; too much responsibility. Sometimes we just need to […]

“The two disciples heard what he said, and they followed Jesus.” John 1:37 Dear Friends:  “To follow” often is translated as “to come after” or “to be behind” leading us to believe we’re not strong enough to lead. We learn from Jesus early on in his ministry that he invites folks to follow him. Following Jesus, […]

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:11 Dear Friends:  Happy Epiphany! The story of the wise men paying a visit to the Christ child is an epiphany. Epiphany means: to reveal. When the wise men saw that the […]

“And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20 Dear Friends:  As we prepare for the celebration of Jesus Christ born among us once again, what do we envision? A tiny babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying […]

11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the […]

“be still and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:11 Dear Friends:  When Ghandi visited South Africa and all its upheaval during the apartheid he is to have said that if just 1% of the people would meditate we would have peace. Just 1%! I imagine at least 1% of the people in the United […]

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 Dear Friends, Perhaps around your Thanksgiving table you begin with an offering of thanks for the many blessings of this life. I’m always grateful at our table when each grandchild slows for just an instant to say thank you whether it be […]

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives.” John 14:27  Dear Friends: Shalom, my friends, shalom. Shalom is the Hebrew שׁלום word rooted in the definition of Peace. More succinctly, shalom means to have a complete wholeness, sound health, secure safety, and the riches of prosperity, a […]

“…do not be terrified; for these things must take place first…” Luke 21:9 Dear Friends:  Late last week I had the great misfortune of being in the dentist chair. Most of you, I’m sure, have no fears or qualms about being in the dentist chair. No concerns about a kind technician with a mask covering […]

“In him you also,…were marked with the seal of the promise Holy Spirit…” Ephesians 1:13 Dear Friends:  What label do you wear?  A wedding ring to label you as married? Sports clothes to label you as an athlete? A uniform to label you as a member of the military, the police force, fire department, or […]