All of us are in exile. Some (if not most of us) are in the wilderness. The fears and the frustrations of the desert quickly lead to complaints and murmurings. In today’s story, the people of God grumble in the wilderness and God responds, not with anger, but with the gracious provision of manna. Though the wilderness is not comfortable, easy, or…
Sometimes we can miss the forest for the trees. That is, we can got so focused on details that we lose sight of the bigger picture. The Apostle’s Letter to the Ephesians invites the church to remember and recommit to God’s grand universal plan of uniting all things in Christ. Only by maintaining this grand vision can our individual lives and local…
Differences of opinion and practice can wreak havoc on unity if left unchecked. In today’s reading, Paul addresses a community where differences have done just that, leading to condemnation and condescension. Paul argues that differences should not lead to these things, but rather, be an opportunity to welcome the other and witness to the Gospel. Opening Hymn: Great Is Thy Faithfulness Closing…
In preparation for Paul’s upcoming visit, Paul warns that he will come in boldness, wielding apostolic authority, if he needs to. But he’d rather not. He’d rather come in the meekness and gentleness of Christ, that is, he’d rather show God’s power in weakness, because it best follows the model of Christ’s love revealed in the cross. He turns the tables on…
At the burning bush, God calls Moses to the nearly impossible task of liberating God’s people. Moses responds with a series of excuses that begins with “Who am I to do this?” Moses’ sense of inadequacy is met by God’s reassurance of the divine presence. Opening Hymn: Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven Closing Doxology: Glory Be to the Father
Though the Apostle Paul knew that bragging of one’s accomplishments was the stuff of fools, he is backed into a corner, and forced to speak like a fool and “toot his own horn” in order to defend himself against the super-apostles’ accusations against him. In the end, he makes it clear that all this “foolish talk” was not for his own sake…
Our conversation continues from last week as we looked at who Jesus is. Not only are we wrestling with who Jesus is, but we are learning to listen to the new ways we are being called to follow him. Opening Hymn: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah Closing Doxology: Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
Jesus asks us a question we all wrestle with, “who do you say that I am?” When we all begin answering differently, how do we hold these differences with awe and wonder so they can deepen our own relationship with Christ? Opening Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy Closing Doxology: Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
After a glorious display of courage, Elijah is overcome with despair and flees to a cave. He prays that God would take his life, because he feels that his faithfulness is in vain. God tenderly and compassionately tends to his wounded heart with food, counsel, and a series of intense revelations – fire, wind, earthquake – that concludes with “the sound of…
In defense of Paul’s legitimacy as an Apostle called into question by the “super-apostles”, Paul “foolishly” boasts in himself. However, unlike the “super-apostles”, he does not boast of his skills or physical strength, but instead, “boasts in his weakness”. For Paul has learned that it is through his weaknesses that God’s power is most fully displayed. Join us for our “After the…