God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; -Psalm 46:1-2 I often use the beginning of Psalm 46 when I lead a funeral service. When one’s life is upset by grief
Read MoreFor I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. -Isaiah 65:17-18 We made it!
Read MoreBut the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”—Luke 2:10-11 On this day, celebrating the birth of our Savior, we wish
Read MoreFrom the prophet Isaiah, God tells us, “I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground.” (Isaiah 42:16). In the cold of winter, we face the darkest time of the year. This year, at least in the Northern hemisphere, our shortest day (winter solstice) is on December 21. More
Read MoreIn the Gospel of Luke, Mary sings, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” Known as the Magnificat, this song of hope sets the stage for the radical inclusion of our Savior, who brings down the mighty while lifting up the lowly, who fills the hungry but sends the rich away empty. Indeed, all generations shall call
Read MoreIn the book of Revelation, Jesus says to us: “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.” -Revelation 3:20 (NRSV) The NKJV says that first part this way, “Behold, I stand at the
Read More“And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” -Micah 6:8 What does it mean to give thanks? To offer the Lord a sacrifice of praise? To be sincerely grateful for our lives, both the good and the bad? To honor
Read MoreAs we prepare to gather (or not gather) with friends and family to give thanks, though our thoughts should be on gratitude, family, and blessing, the dark cloud of COVID hangs over us. Is it safe to visit, to see the grandkids, to be in a room with family, eating dinner? Last night, our church
Read MoreAfter the Baptism on Sunday, many have asked me why I dunked our newest member three times in the Sacrament of Baptism. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Matthew in the Great Commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
Read MoreI love the fall season! The turning leaves, the beautiful colors, the cooler weather, and the falling leaves—it’s a great time to reflect upon the many blessings in our lives. We’ve been blessed with some incredible days, blue skies and calm days, perfect for a morning or afternoon stroll. This morning, as I gazed that
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