Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator   shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.  Isaiah 58:8-9 Dear Friends, When I was in university in Houston, I was introduced to snow skiing. One year, I decided to put together a trip with some other young folks from our church to drive to Colo

Then [the king] will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ Matthew 25:45 Dear Friends, Each week during our staff meeting, I read the upcoming Sunday’s scripture. So last week we read Jesus’ parable about the Sheep and the Goats from Matthew 25… we were all convicted by it. Isn’t it the case that there is always more that we can do for those in need? It is easy to go on a guilt or shame trip but I don

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 [The Message] Dear Friends, Last Sunday, we celebra

Then Jesus came to them and said,  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.   Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations,  baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:18-20 Dear Friends,   In today’s email, I continue the inquiry and discernment about, What is our purpose?   Any conversation and exploration of Jesus’ purpose has to include reflec

All who believed were together and had all things in common;  they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.  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 2:44-47 Dear Friends, As most of you are aware,

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God....

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing,...

Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. Psalm 22:6 Dear Friends,   You may have picked up on the fact that we...

“But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Matthew 5:44 Dear Friends, Last week on the news, we heard of...

But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and...

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” John 4:39 Dear...

…learn to do good;seek justice;rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan;plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:17 Dear Friends,   One way of...

God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living...

15   And Jesus  said to them,   “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed,  for one’s life does not consist in the...

Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. Proverbs 22:6 Dear Friends,   It has been an exciting summer here at...

I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit...

25  An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26  He said to him, “What...

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 Dear Friends, On Sunday, we heard the story from Luke 10 about how...

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear… 1 John 4:18   Dear Friends,It’s Monday, June 30th as I’m writing this… so...

A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But [Jesus] said to them, “The kings of the...