For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? (Romans 8:24) Last week, in one of my classes we were talking about hope. I made a comment that giving people hope is ultimately what religion is all about. My professor responded,…

Did you ever sit down and eat a glorious meal and the food was fantastic? I know these days with the virus that this is hard to do right now. But imagine being in a beautiful restaurant and eating a most wonderful dinner. Every bite is so satisfying that there is an actual party in…

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This weekend we celebrate the ministry of Martin Luther King Jr.  His civil rights efforts brought us a long way. However, the events of the past year remind us we still have a long way to go. John Lewis, who marched with King Jr., died this past year, leaving a strong…

Primary emotions left unchecked lead to secondary emotions and actions. Our country horrifically experienced this–shaking our democratic principles to the core. Think about it…virtually all major disagreements begin as a slight irritation.  Those unaddressed, cultivate deeper secondary emotions.   Think of a time you experienced a negative primary emotion like of one of the following: fear, sadness,…

The worship was live from our partner, Confluence Ministries. Thank you Jude & Cindy! We are grateful to Mike & Tammy Heflebower for the use of their space at Heflebower Funeral Services for 10 months (!) but good to get out and join Jesus in the world. Worship will come from a variety of host…

At 9:00 am this morning, I got to hear a pep talk. Most of my Saturdays don’t begin that way. But this was just what I needed. I’m a tutor with Whiz Kids, one of our ministry partners through Confluence Ministries. This year we’ve been tutoring on Zoom. It’s been different, not all bad or…

Matthew 8:2-4 “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean. Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. I am willing, he said. Be Clean! Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, See that you don’t…

The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same. Have you ever heard this expression? The more things change, the more they stay the same. I have heard this before, and I had a boss that used it a lot. I admit it was annoying. Over the past year I must say a lot…

Dear Voices of God, God thunders across the waters, Brilliant, God’s voice and face, streaming brightness — God, across the flood waters. Psalm 29:3 Msg The voice of God. Shenoute of Atripe in the 420s made a powerful statement of the way in which Christ’s healing voice could reach every corner of daily life: “Try…

Sunday’s sermon referenced Jeremiah 31:12 They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights of Jerusalem. They will be radiant because of the LORD’s good gifts— the abundant crops of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and the healthy flocks and herds.  I find that 2020 was a year where it felt…