“Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan.” Luke 17:15-16 NRSV As children, we are taught that “please” and “thank you” are the “magic words” we are to use
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…” Colossians 3:17 NRSV A few days ago, a friend shared with me a cartoon in which Charlie Brown was thinking to himself, “Isit just me or are the summers getting shorter?” I think that is a fair question
Here we are in the “dog days of summer.” Heat, humidity, and summertime thunderstorms are partand partial of most days. In looking back over the past year, I am grateful for this summer. Many things havechanged from where we were one year ago. Last summer was characterized by the cancellation or reformattingof many of the
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.” Matthew 5:14 NRSV The billowing smoke in the distance often gains the attention of many highway travelers. For some, itmay be a bit alarming and cause such individuals to ponder just what might be ablaze. For others, little thoughtis
“He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.” Mark 4:39 NRSV With the arrival of June, we are just weeks away from the official beginning of summer. This time of the year the heat and humidity begin
“Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47 NRSV What
“But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” Mark 16:7 NRSV We have all been there before at some point. Even if it has been quite some time, we can relate to the feelings, the hurt,
“Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Mark 4:8 (NIV) Our faith is more of a journey than a destination. That may not be a profound statement. In fact, you probably have heard me use it before in
“The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9 NRSV Slow. It’s not exactly one of society’s favorite words. Wait for even a moment after a stoplight turns green and, more likely than
“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NRSV Anxiety. Worry. Stress. Each of these words seems synonymous with our