Worship God. Form Faith. Live Love.
By putting together the story of David’s calling (1 Samuel 16) with verses from Psalm 51, we can dig deeper into what it means for God to look on people’s hearts. Since Last Time Samuel is all grown up. While … Continue reading
In Exodus, God gave Moses God’s name: I AM WHO I AM. With God’s name, we can call upon God in prayer and worship. The gift of God’s name is a gift of relationship. In the Beginning This reading marks … Continue reading
Paul seems to be critical of the Law (Torah). But perhaps it’s not the Torah he is negative about, but the way it was being misused: to create a wall between Gentiles and Jesus. It’s a bit hard to believe, … Continue reading
The early Church encountered a real, understandable, and serious controversy: Did non-Jews need to become Jewish to follow the Jewish Messiah? While Scripture seemed to say “yes,” the experiences of the believers said a resounding “no.” The Birth of the … Continue reading
In Jericho, Jesus encounters two outsiders, a blind man and a tax collector, whom the community thinks are unworthy of the great prophet’s attention. But Jesus extends grace to them both. The Journey So Far Jesus is getting closer to … Continue reading
We can be hyperfocused on limiting the Christian faith to our sin and God’s forgiveness. Instead, we can emphasize the effects of Jesus’ forgiveness on the woman: reconciliation and healing. Jesus Revealed The season of/after Epiphany is almost over. Transfiguration … Continue reading
As he said in Nazareth, Jesus came for people who are marginalized and disempowered. In our own thinking, speaking, and teaching, we must emphasize people’s dignity over their disabilities. In this Epiphany season, Jesus has been revealed as God’s beloved … Continue reading
In a time of suffering, God gives the people a promise of good things to come. God will reverse their oppression, bringing justice and shalom. Exile and Return Overall, life has sucked for God’s people up to the point of … Continue reading
Jonah is a story of turning from disobedience to obedience, first from the prophet himself and then from the king, people, and animals of Nineveh. But in his heart, did Jonah actually repent? Seeing (or at Least Hearing) God With … Continue reading
The Israelites experienced fear and responded by taking control and making an idol in the form of a golden calf. How do we respond to fear? After years of slavery and suffering, God answered the Israelites’ cries for help. God … Continue reading